Maple Tree and Grandpa's Tractor

3 lovely cousins worked on this masterpiece as a gift for their grandparents.   They painted the maple tree and tire swing, complete with a shiny version of Grandpa's tractor.  I love the bright and vibrant result!

1st grader "M" started out the painting sessions by putting in a sky.  It is always fun for little ones to work on these big canvases!

Next up were the green grasses...

The white space would be the corn fields, but first,  smallest cousin "J" was up to sponge paint some clouds!

Adorable girl!  She loved it!

Now "M" finished up the last part of the painting for the day with the corn fields.

In go the yellows!

LOVELY!

Then I had her add in some accent oranges for interest.

And "M" completed her part, BEAUTIFULLY!   Wonderful job girls!

The final painter was 5th grader "M".   She had lots of details to do and was such a pro.   She started out with painting in the tree trunk.  You can see where I painted the tractor in for her to go over as well.

The tractor was "M's" favorite part.   I had printed out a photo for her to see small details.

After working so well on the tractor, "M" went in to sponge in some idea of foliage.

Time FLEW by today!  We called it a day!  Awesome work "M"!

Session 2 with "M" involved adding shading for shadows and some highlights as well.

 It is amazing what a few brushstrokes can do!

Then "M" put in the rope and tire swing.

  We talked about little tricks to make the swing look 3-d.  Very cool!

 Then, using a fan brush, "M" added the final details onto the maple tree.

 3 different brushes to achieve the fall leaves.   She is so good!

 And "M's" final touch was adding some grasses around the line where the corn and grass meet.

 Beautiful!  What a special painting!   3 lovely girls, one lovely painting!   Enjoy Grandma and Grandpa!

 So proud of you "M"!

Grandparent's Farm

6 cousins all collaborated on this painting for a very special gift for their grandparents!   Using pictures of the farm and house, we worked on painting their farm and had everyone involved in this masterpiece!

We met with the 3 families at Tribeca for paint session 1.   We started off with 7 year old "B" for the road.  His cousins were already into it!  I love the crowd of admirers!

  Focused painter!

We put down some grays and browns and then worked on blending.  Then the road was complete!

Next up was kindergartner "B" working on the sky.  He is a master of skies as he has painted with me before!  After his blue beauty was in, youngest cousin came to put in some clouds!

She got to stamp with a sponge!  You can see me gesturing ideas of where to go.

So cute!  I love her smile!

Wonderful work!  "B" did some final touches and then cousin number 4 was up!

Kindergartner "E" put in the trees on the horizon line.

Looking beautiful!  Great job!

And our final painter for the day was 1st grader "B" to do the fields in front of the house.

She did some q-tip painting too, to add in some accents to those fields.

And the landscape was in!

My final painter was the oldest, wisest cousin, 6th grader "L".  He did the detail work of the blue tractor and the home.   Here he is using the picture of the house to help him out with details, as well as my pencil sketch.

He also added in a corn stalk to the fore ground.

Last, but certainly not least was the tractor.  I had an image ready for him to reference as he painted in the important details.   No rest for the weary 6th grader on a Friday afternoon, right "L"!?

You can see that I had painted in white to sketch in some guides for him as well.   It made it easier for him to see.

 Finally, "L" finished up some last minute details of the house (including the tree in the front of it).

And we called it done!   The masterpiece collaboration of 6 artists was ready to be gifted!   I'm sure they will love it!  Great work cousins!