These six artist-inspired summer art lesson ideas are a wonderful way to teach art history as well as the elements and principles of art. These lessons will introduce students to artists Takashi Murakami, Roy Lichtenstein, Yayoi Kusama, Jen Stark, Henri Matisse and Jessi Raulet while using a variety of art techniques. The first lessons are geared for younger artists, while the more challenging lessons at the end would be perfect for older students. 

Fruit Collage Inspired by Henri Matisse 

My students love learning about Henri Matisse and his transition from painting to collage. We cut out geometric and organic shapes in cool colors to fill the background. Next, we make a list of our favorite summer fruit. My students cut shapes to create their fruit, either from their imagination or use the handout I created to help visualize the shapes. These simple collages are colorful and will make your mouth water. 

Summer Butterfly Inspired by Jessi Raulet 

This is a perfect lesson to teach symmetrical balance while using paint sticks to create an expressive painting. My students love looking at the beautiful colors and painting style of artist Jessi Raulet. The paper is folded in half, adding the abdomen on the fold. Paint stick lines are added to each side to create the wings. Once the colorful wings have been created by my students, we layer oil pastel on top to create patterns and details. It is so fun to see  students use this multimedia approach to make such expressive butterflies, while learning about symmetrical balance. 

Roy Lichtenstein Inspired Flip Flop Collage 

First, I introduce my students to Roy Lichtenstein, and we look at several of Lichtenstein’s paintings. My students love printing with bubble wrap, so we use that technique to make Ben Day dot paper. We combine a variety of colors and spend a class period printing communal paper. Once the papers are dry, students use the paper to create flip flops. I provide them with a flip flop template to help with the shape and size. Lastly, students layer the dotted paper and plain paper to create starburst and cloud shapes. These shapes replicate what they saw when viewing Lichtenstein’s artwork. Lastly, they add paper scraps to create unique flip flops expressive of their interests. 

Drippy Popsicles Inspired by Jen Stark 

Popsicles are another summer favorite. My students learn how to draw a variety of popsicles using the handout I provide. After viewing artwork created by Jen Stark, my students use markers to create patterns in each popsicle. The drippy patterns inspired by Jen Stark are a perfect way to add movement to their drawing. We use the pattern to create the illusion of dripping popsicles. It seems the warm sun always seems to melt popsicles while eating them on a summer day. We finish the drawing with a little shading to create the illusion of a 3D form, which always impresses my students. 

3D Beach Ball Inspired by Yayoi Kusama 

My older students enjoy learning how to draw a 3D sphere, or in this case a 3D beach ball. We draw together or they use the handout I provide to create a realistic beach ball. We paint each of the segments with bright colors. Next, we use Kusama’s signature dots in each of the segments. The ball appears more 3D with the combination of small and large dots. These can be added with paint pens, markers or layers of paint. The outcome is amazing, even the Japanese Dot Princess would be impressed with these whimsical beach balls. 

Sun Relief Sculpture Inspired by Takashi Murakami 

My students view and critique Takashi Murakami’s sun paintings. Then we use folded paper to create a colorful sun like Murakami. Students may create a pattern or create the color wheel if desired. The emoji like face is added to the sun. In addition, my students cut cloud shapes from white paper to create the background for their relief sun sculpture. The end results are so fun and make you smile. 

 The results of these ideas is a bright, colorful  display that will get everyone excited for summer all while learning about artists from our past and present. As always, these lessons can be modified with materials or simple steps to suit the needs of each student or grade level. However, I always try to create a little something different for each grade level 

All six of the Summer Art Lessons above are all available in my Artist Inspired Lessons for Summer bundle.

Summer Art Lesson Ideas for Grades 5+

Clay Pinch Pot Planter Sculpture Lesson – Hand building Clay Art Project 

I love teaching clay lessons toward the end of the school year to keep students engaged in learning. In this hand-building clay lesson, students create a clay planter beginning with a pinch pot. Next, they follow clay procedures, using slip and score to attach clay pieces and clay tools to subtract details. Each student creates a completely different planter, but I have a strict “pinky thickness” rule that they need to follow when adding clay. We also use a variety of loop tools to hollow out thicker pieces, which allows them to create almost anything they desire.

In addition, I also stress the importance of keeping legs short and stout and tails and arms tucked close to the body to prevent breakage. Finally, students poke several holes into the pinch pot to allow drainage for the water. Once the planters have been bisque fired, students use glaze to add color and make them functional planters. Lastly, we plant small succulents in them before they take them home. The finished clay planters make perfect Mother’s Day gifts or a great way to kick off summer and the growing season. 

My Pinchpot Planter Lesson Plan is available here.

Friedensreich Hundertwasser Inspired Vibrant Landscape Art Lesson 

This vibrant landscape art lesson inspired by Hundertwasser is a fun and colorful mixed media art lesson that is perfect for summer. I introduce my students to architect and artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.  My students draw three lines on the paper to create a foreground, middle ground, and background to show distance in their artwork. They use tempera paint sticks to add color to each area. Finally, my students use oil pastels in a variety of bright colors to create whimsical houses and lollipop trees inspired by Hundertwasser. I provide my students with a handout with several different tree and house ideas to allow for creativity and a unique work of art. Lastly, they add an outline to each of the homes, trees, and other details. The finished artwork makes a great send-off to summer.

Check out my Hundertwasser Lesson here.

Happy Summer! – Trista

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