Studying Paul Klee’s artworks is beneficial to young children because his playful use of colour, shapes, and symbols encourages imagination and creative thinking. His art often resembles a child’s own drawings, making it relatable and inspiring. Klee’s work also introduces children to abstract concepts in a fun and accessible way, helping to build visual literacy and confidence in artistic expression.
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Paul Klee (1) – Chalk and pastel Senecio drawing.
Draw and colour your own Senecio portrait on sandpaper. What will my children learn? During this lesson your children will – Learn that portraits don’t have to be realistic. Klee’s ‘Senecio’ shows that faces can be broken into shapes, lines, and colours to express ideas or emotions. Practice identifying and using basic geometric shapes to […]
Paul Klee (2) – Cat and Bird painting on felt.
Be inspired by Klee’s famous ‘Cat and Bird’ painting and recreate using watercolours and felt. What will my children learn? During this lesson your children will – Learn how Klee used simplified shapes and bold symbols to suggest ideas and emotions. Be introduced to a new sensory experience, encouraging adaptability and experimentation with texture and […]
Paul Klee (3) – Toy wheel printing on collage.
Playful pattern making created by printing and collage techniques. What will my children learn? During this lesson your children will – Discover how repeated shapes and textures can create visual rhythm and interest. Learn how art tools don’t have to be traditional, as repurposing toy wheels sparks innovation and shows that creativity can come from […]
Paul Klee (4) – Watercolour story painting.
Use your own words to create a colourful abstract painting. What will my children learn? During this lesson your children will – Learn how to translate written ideas into visual forms, and seeing how stories can be told through colour, shape, and composition. Develop fine motor control and colour mixing skills by learning how to […]
Paul Klee (5) – Build a ‘Twittering Machine’.
Create your own 3-D version of Klee’s ‘Twittering Machine’. What will my children learn? During this lesson your children will – Discover how Klee blended fantasy, humour, and mechanical forms in his ‘Twittering Machine’ painting. Imagine and design their own bird-like machine, building skill in visualising ideas, taking creative risks, and making something original. Explore […]
Paul Klee (6) – Lego print landscape.
A playful printing activity using toy bricks and paint. What will my children learn? During this lesson your children will – Explore how shapes form images, just as Klee’s work often included geometric shapes. Learn about colour relationships by layering prints and experimenting with combinations. Be encouraged to experiment with pattern and shapes, involving geometry […]
Paul Klee (7) – Colour shades and tints painting.
A fun colour mixing activity creating dark and light colours. What will my children learn? During this lesson your children will – Learn to understand how colour changes when black or white is added, and how to control lightness and darkness. Be inspired by Klee’s use of layered colour and tonal variation, and use light […]
Paul Klee (8) – Abstract drawing game.
A fun game to play with others to create playful abstract pictures. What will my children learn? During this lesson your children will – Discover that art doesn’t need to look realistic, trusting their imagination and embracing the playfulness of abstract art. Share the creation of their picture with others, teaching them to think flexibly […]