Leonardo Da Vinci One-Point Perspective – Elementary Art Lesson
Teaching about Leonardo Da Vinci to fourth-graders presents the perfect opportunity to practice portraits (Mona Lisa?). However, since I am one of three teachers in my daughter’s fourth grade class, and between the three of us we have done a combined total of three portrait lessons so far this academic year, I figured I would forego another one in favor of a lesson on linear perspective.
Da Vinci’s Last Supper provides a perfect example of one-point perspective, so naturally we studied it as our guide. My only problem came in deciding on a project they could tackle (and be proud of) in just under an hour. Tall order.
This was my first drawing. I threw in the towel after realizing that there was no way a bunch of ten-year-olds could complete any semblance of what had taken me half an hour to create (and it was unfinished, not to mention).
My second. Slightly easier. But only slightly.
So I settled on the field of tulips. Easy in terms of drawing. Plus, they got to add color. Definite win.
We first read Mike Venezia’s book on Leonardo Da Vinci.
Using a ruler, mark the edges of your paper at each inch. 
Draw a horizon line somewhere in the top third. 
Draw lines from your vanishing point to several marks along the edge of your page (below the horizon line) 
Draw objects (houses, trees, windmills, etc.) along your horizon line. 
Color the objects in with black sharpie. 
Use watercolor pencils to draw tulips in each section. 
Shade lightly over each section of tulips in the same color. 
Use water and a brush to blend the pencil on the page.
Here’s a Powerpoint explaining the lesson in detail:
