Learning Objectives

• Understand basic drawing elements: line, shape, form, value (tone) and texture.
• Learn simple painting techniques: flat wash, layering, dry brush and blending.
• Apply colour theory to mix and use colours confidently.
• Create a finished artwork inspired by Kenyan themes (landscapes, culture, wildlife).
• Develop observation, creativity, and safe handling of art materials.

Materials (easy to find in Kenya)

• Drawing: HB, 2B pencils, charcoal stick, eraser, sharpener, ruler, sketchbook or newsprint.
• Painting: watercolours, poster paints or student acrylics, small jars for water, flat and round brushes (sizes 2, 6, 10), palette (old plastic lid works).
• Support: drawing paper, watercolour paper or recycled cardboard/canvas board.
• Extras: masking tape, cloth, container for water, apron or old shirt, newspaper to protect table.

Basic Drawing Techniques

Practice these every lesson for better control.

• Lines: straight, curved, jagged. Practice light and heavy pressure.
• Shapes: break objects into simple shapes (circle, square, triangle).
• Shading (value): show light and shadow using hatching, cross-hatching, blending with a fingertip or tissue.
• Texture: use short strokes or dots to suggest rough bark, fur or grass.

Perspective & Proportion (simple)

Begin with one-point perspective for quick depth: all parallel lines meet at one point on the horizon.

Tip: Compare sizes—people close to you are larger on paper than those far away.

Elements & Principles of Art (short)

• Elements: Line, Shape, Form, Colour, Value, Texture, Space.
• Principles: Balance, Contrast, Emphasis (focal point), Rhythm, Unity.

Colour Theory (easy)

Know your primary colours: red, blue, yellow. Mix to get secondaries: purple, green, orange.

Warm vs Cool: Warm colours (red, orange, yellow) feel near and active. Cool colours (blue, green, purple) feel calm and far.

Complementary colours (opposites) like red & green give contrast and stronger visuals.

Painting Techniques

• Flat wash: mixed colour + lots of water, brush across paper quickly for even background.
• Wet-on-wet: put colour on wet paper for soft blends (good for skies).
• Dry brush: little water for rough texture (grass, hair).
• Layering: paint light to dark; let layers dry before adding details.
• Stippling & dabbing: make texture like fur or leaves using small dots or short strokes.

Kenyan Themes & Ideas

Use your environment and culture for subjects. Some ideas:

• Wildlife: elephant silhouette at sunset in Amboseli.
• Landscape: Great Rift Valley, Mount Kenya, coastal dhow & palm trees.
• Cultural patterns: Maasai shuka colours and bead designs, Swahili doors, Kikoy patterns.
• Everyday life: market scene, tea pickers, school scene.

These themes help link art to Social Studies and Geography.

Step-by-step Project: Simple Kenyan Landscape (one lesson)

1. Sketch lightly in pencil: horizon line, simple hill shapes, a tree and a small house or dhow.
2. Block in background colour with a light wash (sky blue fading to pale yellow near horizon).
3. Add middle ground (hills, fields) with mid-tone greens and browns.
4. Paint foreground with stronger colours and more detail (texture on tree trunk, grass strokes).
5. Finish with details: windows, reed lines, birds or silhouettes; use darker paint for contrast and final touches.
6. Sign and date the work at the bottom corner.

Assessment (classwork / project)

Use simple marks out of 20:

• Drawing accuracy and observation — 5
• Use of colour and tone — 5
• Composition and creativity — 5
• Neatness, presentation and effort — 3
• Materials care and safety — 2

Feedback: give 1–2 sentences on what was done well and one area to improve.

Health & Safety

• Work in a well-ventilated area if using paints with smell. Prefer water-based paints (poster, watercolour, acrylic) for school use.
• Keep jars of water covered between use. Change water often.
• Wash hands after painting. Do not eat while painting.
• Store sharp tools (cutters, scissors) safely and under teacher supervision.

Tips & Common Mistakes

• Tip: Always start light — you can darken later but cannot easily lighten thick paint.
• Tip: Squint at your subject to see large shapes and values before details.
• Mistake: Too much detail too early — block shapes and tones first.
• Mistake: Using colours straight from the tube without testing — mix and test on scrap paper.

Glossary (short)

• Value: how light or dark a colour is.
• Wash: thin, even layer of paint.
• Underpainting: first layer of paint to set tones.
• Composition: how objects are arranged in the artwork.

Suggested Homework & Activities

1. Draw three different types of leaves from local plants. Use shading to show their forms.
2. Paint a small postcard (A5) showing a Kenyan sunset. Focus on smooth sky gradation.
3. Create a pattern inspired by Maasai bead colours using coloured pencils or paint.