One of my favorite lessons I did this past school year was whimsical trees inspired by the story Willow. (I know I saw this on another art education blog, so please let me know if it was you so I can give you credit).
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vjFLL5bqdgR7n_aYVCRbS2ZiPCPprr4FFyq3NP9DUSsk8sKA3BEHA08uEmNyq6TOHAex2IIRH8mCXe3PMuMHbTXJRINr0D4KlbjYCL5bzsLExXMQ9WJou4SP5VC0PQz9WwjXOiIw=s0-d)
After reading the story we looked at several tree pictures and discussed how we could come up with our own creative trees. Each student received a piece of 12x36 paper (I think this size really contributed to the overall success of the project). We began with tempera cakes and then used pre-mixed tempera paint.
![ArtPhotos 10 2011 385 ArtPhotos 10 2011 385](//lh3.ggpht.com/-Vifqc5GWxsQ/ToebAuWx08I/AAAAAAAAArI/IihoFZAW1vc/ArtPhotos%25252010%2525202011%252520385_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![ArtPhotos 10 2011 386 ArtPhotos 10 2011 386](//lh3.ggpht.com/-dDwtcLmVwKk/ToebCCzTWuI/AAAAAAAAArQ/m7w7kMJ6J-c/ArtPhotos%25252010%2525202011%252520386_thumb%25255B13%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![ArtPhotos 10 2011 387 ArtPhotos 10 2011 387](//lh6.ggpht.com/-pZbtM9l69Q8/ToebDRjdPVI/AAAAAAAAArY/rLvuJUx7cdU/ArtPhotos%25252010%2525202011%252520387_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
![ArtPhotos 10 2011 388 ArtPhotos 10 2011 388](//lh6.ggpht.com/-2rvoROw2EMA/ToebEgm8VcI/AAAAAAAAArg/v8_sPMAHzus/ArtPhotos%25252010%2525202011%252520388_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
A few students even decided to add a background. ![ArtPhotos 10 2011 393 ArtPhotos 10 2011 393](//lh3.ggpht.com/-Ddhgryvssew/ToebHxDM15I/AAAAAAAAArw/eiVxcDDNnN0/ArtPhotos%25252010%2525202011%252520393_thumb%25255B12%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800)
The kids really seemed to enjoy the process. I loved how they turned out!