All you need are the primary colours, red, blue, and yellow. Black is also needed. Have a tissue on hand. This is a good lesson on how watercolours are transparent and you can see colours through each other. Be careful not to wet your paper too much!
If you're doing this in your sketchbook, don't apply too much water, her watercolour paper is very thick. If your paper is becoming transparent, then you're using too much water. If the paper is pilling like an old sweater, then you're brushing too hard.
Have a Kleenex tissue ready for this activity! Go for realistic clouds, not cartoony cliché clouds.
He makes trees look easy to paint! :D
Imagining and Generating
Key Global Challenges
Climate Change: Warmer temperatures and pollution are harming nature, farming, and human life.
Poverty and Hunger: Millions of people around the world still do not have enough money, food, or basic supplies.
Economic Inequality: A tiny group of rich people hold most of the world's wealth, leaving everyone else behind.
Armed Conflict: Wars and arguments between powerful countries make the world unsafe.
Misinformation: Fake news and altered videos online make it hard for people to know what is actually true.
Water Scarcity: Clean drinking water is running out in many places, which hurts people's health and farming.
Global Health: New illnesses, high healthcare costs, and dangerous diseases threaten people worldwide.
Biodiversity Loss: Forests and wild habitats are being destroyed, causing plants and animals to go extinct.
Societal Polarization: Angry arguments over political and cultural ideas are dividing communities.
Risks of Artificial Intelligence: New computer technology could take away jobs or be used to trick and harm people.
Online Safety: Cyberbullying, online scams, and internet dangerous abuse are major risks for young people.
Mental Health Waitlists: Many teens deal with heavy stress and anxiety, but waiting to see a counsellor takes way too long.
Lack of Summer & Part-Time Jobs: It is harder than ever for teenagers to land their very first entry-level job.
High Cost of Living: Expensive groceries and rent make life stressful for families and leave many teens without enough food.
Online Sports Gambling: Betting apps and constant ads make it easy for students to get hooked on gambling.
1. Choose Your Topic
Pick one issue from our class list that you care about or want to learn more about.
2. Conduct Your Research
Search online or read news articles to find out more about your topic.
Find answers to these three main questions:
What is the problem? (Give a brief summary in your own words)
Who or what is being affected? (e.g., teenagers, animals, families, local communities)
Why is this happening, or how can it be fixed? (Look for key causes or potential solutions)
3. Record in Your Sketchbook
Open to a fresh page in your sketchbook.
Title: Write the name of your chosen issue clearly at the top of the page.
Notes: Bullet point your answers to the three research questions above.
Visuals: Print and glue in 2–3 related news photos or draw quick sketches/symbols that represent the main facts you found.
1. Search the Textbooks
Flip through the classroom art textbooks to find one painting, drawing, or sculpture that catches your eye.
Choose an artwork that shows a strong mood, emotion, or story that connects to your social issue.
2. Add to Your Sketchbook
Turn to a new page (or use the space next to your research notes).
Write Down the Details:
Title of the artwork
Name of the artist
Year it was made
Sketch or Print: Draw a quick reference thumbnail sketch of the artwork, or print and glue a picture of it into your sketchbook.
3. Answer the PPE Questions Write 2–3 full sentences explaining your choice:
Point: What opinion, mood, or story is this artist expressing?
Prove: What specific visual details (such as dark colours, light, or facial expressions) prove that mood?
Explain: How will you use this artwork as inspiration or guidance for your own project about your social issue?
1. Brainstorm Your Twist
Take the masterpiece you chose from the textbook and think about how to adapt it to tell a story about your social issue.
Decide what you will keep (e.g., the main characters, composition, or overall pose) and what you will change (e.g., adding modern objects, changing the background, or swapping the colours).
Make sure your adapted artwork clearly communicates your opinion or message about your chosen global or local issue!
2. Plan Your Media
You must use watercolour and at least one different art material (mixed media). But you can use more medias if you wish!
Pencil underdrawings do not count.
3. Practice in your sketchbooks the artistic techniques that you will need to employ to complete this assignment. For example, test out colours before applying them to your good copy!
3. Create Your Final Piece
Work on your final good copy paper.
Tape the edges of your watercolour paper (destick first!)
Sign the bottom right corner of your finished piece in black ink when you're done.
Print your full name on the back of your work in pencil
The written component of this culminating assignment will be completed during the exam period.
Reflection questions will cover:
elements and principles of design
artistic techniques employed
knowledge about your chosen masterpiece and the artist
explain the message you are trying to convey through your artwork
*Note that these examples are from past assignments and do not use mixed media.