Display a reproduction of one of Vincent Van Gogh's paintings such as "Starry Night" or "Sunflowers." Use either a book with large page images or a poster. Introduce the artist by name and provide a few background facts such as that he was an artist who lived a long time ago (in the 1800s) and was from the Netherlands.
Ask the children to look at the painting. Give them a few minutes to digest what they see. Follow the viewing with some open-ended questions to start a discussion, such as "What can you find in Van Gogh's painting?" or "How does this artwork make you feel?".
Keep the discussion going, letting each child know that his viewpoint is valid. Connect the children's comments to art history or art technique ideas and concepts. For example, if a student says that he sees "swirlies" in the sky in "Starry Night," you could comment: "John sees swirl patterns in the paint. Van Gogh used his paintbrush to make strokes like this. Can anyone show me with their hands the movements that they think he may have made when painting?"
Use age-appropriate art vocabulary. Very young children may just be learning the names of colors, while preschoolers and older students can understand more sophisticated information about texture and shape. Link this to what you are viewing. If a child notes that Van Gogh's paintings look like they might be bumpy, give the child the vocabulary word "texture" and explain that it means how something feels when you touch it.
Keep a poster or image of one of Van Gogh's paintings near the children to use as inspiration. Consider using one of the more notable images, such as "Starry Night." Explain to the children that they will be making their own paintings that look like the artwork of Van Gogh. Recall facts and comments from your viewing discussion to help them get started and better understand the art-making activity.
Ask the children to draw an image or shapes that look like the Van Gogh painting on a piece of white paper with a pencil. For example, if you are using "Sunflowers," the children can draw circles as the center of the flower and long triangles as the petals. The drawing need not be exactly like the actual Van Gogh work. Depending on the child's age and developmental level, it may acceptable for the student to draw something as elementary as scribbles or simple shapes.
Move on to painting. Pour tempera paint into small puddles approximately the diameter of golf balls onto a palette or a tray. Provide art cups with water for cleaning brushes.
Encourage the children to use different types of brush strokes to paint their drawings. For example, if they are using "Starry Night" as a model, they can make long curving and swirling motions in the sky area. Ask them to look back at the Van Gogh art work for color choices.
Hang the finished art in the classroom near the Van Gogh painting that inspired it. Have a group discussion and ask each child to talk about his painting and how it looks like the real thing. This may include the use of color, shapes, texture or other artistic concepts.