When we began homeschooling, I quickly realized that I needed to develop my art skills and started with the basics right alongside my children. We discovered that we can draw the most beautiful things using just the primary colors. If you haven’t tried them before, I highly recommend playing with block crayons as Luna’s Mama does in our story “Luna and the Mango Tree.”
Before you begin drawing, I would like to share the song Luna and Mama sing in our story. It is definitely a favorite in our home and in the classrooms where I have taught.
“Standing Like a Tree” Song by Betsy Rose
Standing like a tree
With my roots dug down
My branches wide and open
Come down the rain
Come down the sun
Come down the fruits
To our heart that is open
Art Materials: Blank paper, Yellow, Red, & Blue Crayons (Block crayons or stick crayons)
*Optional green, brown, orange, pink, purple crayons for added flair and detail
Directions: Begin your drawing with a light yellow base color. Let the shape of your tree develop naturally as you softly add color.
Gently layer red and then blue, adding more shadow and texture to your roots, bark, and branches. You can give dimension to your drawing if you imagine the sunlight coming from one side of the tree. Add more blue for the shadowy side and more yellow and blended red/yellow (orange) for the sunny side.
Do the same with the ground, starting with yellow and then gently layering blue until a green color emerges. You may choose to add flowers or grass as well.
Add the same layers of color (red and then blue) to the tree branches, adding various shades as desired. You might add brown as well at this point.
Fill in any details you prefer for the sky, leaves, flowers, fruits, etc. I like to add bits of branches to peek through the leaves. You can make fall trees, winter trees, flowering trees, or anything else your heart desires.
Let us know what your trees look like by sending a picture to us: stories(at)pipilotales.com or tagging @pipilotales on instagram.
