Snowflake Watercolour Magic

Strand and Strand Units

Strand:
Visual Arts

Strand Units:

Drawing
Painting

Learning Outcomes (as per the Irish Primary Curriculum)

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

LO 1: Use appropriate materials, tools and techniques to create images from imagination (Drawing strand)
LO 2: Experiment with colour, texture, shape and form to express ideas and feelings (Painting strand)
LO 3: Show interest and care in handling materials and resources (Visual Arts - Attitudes and values)

Learning Objectives

Create a snowflake pattern using white crayon as a resist method on paper.
Apply watercolour paints over the resist drawing and observe how colours interact with the wax and salt effects.
Explore the salt technique to create texture and patterns in watercolour paintings.

Materials Needed

White crayons (wax resist)
Watercolour paints and brushes
Watercolour paper or thick art paper
Small salt containers
Clean water pots and cloths
PowerPoint with step-by-step visuals and instructions

Lesson Structure (60 minutes)

Introduction (10 minutes)

Display the PowerPoint slide introduction with examples of snowflakes and watercolour salt effects.
Discuss briefly the uniqueness of snowflakes and how no two are alike.
Higher order question: "Why do you think the salt creates different patterns on the paint? How does it change the look of the snowflake?"
Lower order question: "Can you describe the shape of a snowflake? What colours might you choose to paint around it?"

Development (40 minutes)

Step 1: Drawing the Snowflake (10 minutes)

Each student draws a snowflake pattern freely on their paper using a white crayon (wax resist method).
Emphasise exploring different lines and shapes to create unique snowflakes (spirals, branches, dots).

Step 2: Painting with Watercolour (15 minutes)

Demonstrate how to wet the brush and apply watercolour paint over and around the white crayon snowflake.
Encourage mixing and layering colours and observing how wax resists the paint, keeping the snowflake white.

Step 3: Sprinkling Salt (15 minutes)

Explain and demonstrate sprinkling salt on the still wet paint and how it absorbs pigment, creating texture.
Allow students to experiment with small quantities of salt in different areas of the painting.

Conclusion (10 minutes)

Invite students to observe and discuss their artwork and how the salt and wax resist changed the image.
Higher order question: "How would you change your snowflake or salt technique next time to create an even more interesting painting?"
Lower order question: "What did the salt do when you sprinkled it on your paint?"
Clean brushes and tidy workstations.

Assessment

Formative

Ongoing observation of students’ engagement with materials and techniques during the drawing and painting process.
Questioning to check understanding of resist and salt effects.

Summative (Informal)

Review completed paintings for evidence of applying the wax resist snowflake drawing.
Evaluate students’ use of watercolour effects and salt texturing to support creativity and experimentation.

Differentiation

Supportive adult help for fine motor tasks if needed.
Encourage more confident students to experiment with layered colours or multiple snowflakes.
Visual step-by-step PowerPoint aids all learners with clear, sequential instructions.

Reflective Prompt for Teachers

How effectively did students understand and apply the resist technique?
Were students creatively engaged with the salt texturing?
Would incorporating natural snowflake images or a short science link enhance cross-curricular learning next time?

This lesson plan fully aligns with the Irish Primary Curriculum’s Visual Arts strand, fostering creative skills, sensory engagement, and appreciation for natural patterns through age-appropriate techniques. The use of a digital PowerPoint stimulus promotes clear instructions and encourages independent as well as collaborative learning in a small-class setting.

Teaching Instructions