Life Skills

Activity Details

Time needed:  30–45 minutes

Materials needed:

• A still life object
• Watercolor or tempera paint
• Paper
• Paint brushes
• Small container of water to rinse brushes in between colors

Activity:

Paint a still life. A still life is an object, like a bowl of fruit or a vase. Set up a still life you want to paint a picture of first. Set it on a table or counter where light hits it. 

Set up your artist area. Near your object, choose a surface where you will work. Protect it with a drop cloth, garbage bag spread out, or towel. Set up your paints, brushes, paper and a container of water to rinse out your brushes in between colors. 

You’re ready to paint. Look at your object and decide how you will begin to paint it. Some artists sketch out the shape or outline with a pencil first. Notice how the object and its colors look different where the light hits it. Don’t forget to show how the light hits the object by using light and dark colors!

When you have finished painting your still life, sign it at the bottom and set your painting in a safe place to dry. Rinse out your brushes so they can be used again, and empty and wash the container of water. 

Will you title your painting? How would your painting look different if your still life was not in the light? Share your painting with your family when it dries! 

For More FUN:

After you’ve painted something in your world, paint something “out of this world,” like the sun or planets.

Troop Leaders:  The instructions for all badge steps are available free of charge in your  Girl Scout Volunteer Toolkit.

Girl Scouts at Home activities have been adapted from existing Girl Scout programming and optimized for use at home during a period of social distancing.

Adapted from step 2 of the Brownie Painting badge. Purchase the badge booklet to complete all requirements and earn the badge.