JOHN SINGER SARGENT WATERCOLORS

ART SHOW:

John Singer Sargent Watercolors

Brooklyn Museum

200 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn NY

April 5, 2013- July 28, 2013

John Singer Sargent is known as a portrait artist, but this show highlights his skills as with watercolor.  The show focuses on technique- really giving great insight on how the artist worked with this medium and the methods he experimented with.  The subject matter is often blase (landscapes, portraits, gardens) but his technique is interesting.  For artists-in-training there is much to learn at this show, but for younger kids it can be harder to sink teeth into.

QUESTIONS TO ASK:

From the Brooklyn Museum Teacher Packet:


      Questions for Viewing The Bridge of Sighs and Mountain Fire
      1. What do you notice about each painting’s composition? What is the viewer’s vantage point?
      2. Imagine that you are the artist, painting these two scenes outdoors. What might be challenging   about painting each place? Why do you think Sargent chose to paint these particular views?
      3. How do you think Sargent began each painting? What did he paint first? Last? 
      4. Compare the two paintings in terms of their subject matter and style. What similarities and differences can you find?
      5. What kinds of brushstrokes did Sargent make to create each painting? Using a pencil or brush, re-create some of the brushstrokes that you find in the paintings. 
      6. What do you notice about Sargent’s use of light? Which watercolor techniques do you think he used?
     7. Mountain Fire captures the smoke and haze of a fire as it envelops a Which landscape would you like to visit? Why?

LINKS TO GO DEEPER:

Brooklyn Museum Teacher Packet- lots of great information and lesson ideas

Metropolitan Museum- information on the artist

Seattle Museum Lesson Plan- lots of project ideas and studies

EXTENSIONS:

For kids:
Get inspired by John Singer Sargent's wax resist technique where "a clear wax material is used in areas to prevent the surface from receiving paint, thereby creating highlights." [Brooklyn Museum]  This can be done with wax crayons and watercolor (or any) paint.  The website, First Palette, has simple instructions for the project. 

For Parents:
John Singer Sargent's process was so much about traveling.  Pick up a package of blank watercolor postcards and paint set in the gift shop to capture your next trip.  Send the postcards to your friends and loved ones for a highly personalized gift to let them know you are thinking of them.  Sending snail mail is almost a lost art-- and showing my son how important it is to stay in touch is a high priority for me!