ART CONNECTS KIDS
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Create your own American gothic

  • Inspiration
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  • Become A Famous Painter

What is American Gothic?

American Gothic is the name of this famous painting. Have you seen it before?  
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  • This painting was made almost 90 years ago!
  • The man who painted it is called Grant Wood.
  • The woman in the painting is based off of Grant's sister and the man is based off of his dentist! How funny!!
  • They are standing in front of their farm house. 
  • What else do you notice?
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Start Thinking!

WHO would you put in your version of the American Gothic Painting?

WHERE would your painting take place? 

**NOTE: Your painting can be imaginary, or based on real life! Whatever you want! For example, you could have your painting take place under the sea with 2 silly sea monsters! OR You could draw you and your best friend at the park! Allow yourself to be creative!!

Materials you may need:

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Glue Stick

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3 Pieces of paper

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Scissors

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any type of paint 

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Any coloring materials

Lets Get started!

Steps to follow:

1)

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Begin by grabbing your first piece of paper and sketch out the background you want for you characters. Once you have your background drawn, gather your coloring materials!  

2)

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Color in your background with whatever materials you want! You can use paints, markers, colored pencils, etc!

3)

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​
Grab your other 2 pieces of paper. On each piece of paper, draw one character. Once you have your characters drawn, you can color them in and cut them out. Be careful when cutting with scissors! You may want to ask an adult for help. 

4)

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Grab your background paper. If it is dry, begin gluing your characters on top of the background with your glue stick! And VIOLA! Your masterpiece is completed!

Lets wrap up!

​Compare and contrast your painting to Grant Wood's

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  • How is your painting different than Grants?
  • What do you feel when you look at your painting and what do you feel when you look at Grants? 
  • What do you think Grant would say if he saw your painting?
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This website and its content was created by undergraduate students in the Detroit Connections course at the University of Michigan Stamps School of Art and Design.

Detroit Connections is taught by faculty member Melanie Manos.  If you have questions please contact melmanos@umich.edu. 

Website support from Larrea Young (laryoung@umich.edu).

  • Home
  • Art Connects Kids
    • Sculpture >
      • How to Make Playdough
      • How to Papier-mâché
      • How to Make Human Figure with Bendy Wire
      • Share Your Work
    • Fibers Fun >
      • Quilted Blanket Project
      • Pom Pom Project
      • Wearables Project
    • Storytelling >
      • Build Your Character
      • How to Make a Story
      • How to Tell Your Story
    • Inspiration >
      • Become a Famous Painter
      • Collaging Your Feelings
      • Minimalist Landscapes
      • MIXED MEDIA COLLAGE
      • Watercolor Flowers
    • Crafts and Countries >
      • Australia
      • Mexico
      • Russia
      • India
      • China
  • YAAAA
    • Fibers >
      • Fibers Sculpture Project
      • Fibers Video Workshop
    • Sculpture >
      • Sculpture & Light Project
      • Lamp Making Video Workshop
    • Painting >
      • Sound & Painting Video Workshop
    • Animation
    • Illustration >
      • Illustration Project
      • Comic Through Song Video Workshop