May 8, 2023
Resources for Mouse Paint Color Theory Project
NEW: a rotating group of artists and art educators will be bringing you high quality art projects and lessons at Outside the Box Creation! Our artist this month, art teacher and jewelry creator Jackie Friel, is excited to present her first Outside the Box Creation project: exploring the world of color mixing with Ellen Stoll Walsh's Mouse Paint!
DOWNLOAD YOUR PROJECT PLANSetting the Stage
Main Project Final Product Example
Welcome to the May project from Outside the Box Creation! We'll read Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh to get an overview of what happens when we mix the primary colors together. Next, grab that paintbrush just like a pencil and experiment with color theory!
There are no rules or limits to color mixing, and no right or wrong way to play with color. Use the colors you create to paint whatever you'd like on your paint palette to really make it your own. Copying the example not required, but perfectly okay to do so. We love to see your creations so find us on social media and send some pics our way!
Have fun!
Supplies Needed for Insider's Club Members (or if you're a box subscriber & want to purchase additional supplies)
This month's book helps teach the lesson!
Strongly recommended: Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh. You can purchase it or find it at your local library.
Paint brushes like these
Primary Color Paints: red, yellow, blue, white, black like this
Plain paper like this
White Model Magic like so
Cup of water for rinsing brushes--an old cup, jar, or can works perfectly!
Black marker like this or a Sharpie
An old sheet, shower curtain, or even a few paper bags and paper towels to cover your work surface
*The above Amazon links are affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of them we may earn a very small commission but it does not increase your price at all, so we hope you will!
Read Along
Enjoy reading Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh along with our May artist in residence, Jackie Friel!
Watch The Main Project Video
Taking It Further
Reading Question Answer Key
Younger Readers
- Why can't the cat see the mice? (answer: blend in or camouflage with the white paper)
- What will happen if the red mouse steps in a yellow puddle? (answer: creates the color orange)
- What will happen if the blue mouse steps in a yellow puddle? (answer: creates the color green)
- What will happen if the blue mouse steps in a red puddle? (answer: creates the color purple)
- What do the mice use to clean off their fur? How does this connect to your paint brush? (answer: cats water bowl, artists always clean off their brush when they are finished with a color.)
Older Readers
- What will happen if the mice mix all three primary colors together? (light brown)
- What will happen if the mice mix all the primary and secondary colors together? (dark brown)
- What will happen if you mix one primary color with one secondary color? (tertiary color)
- What will happen if you add black or a shade to a color? (darker)
- What will happen if you add white or a tint to a color? (lighter)
- Where can you use color theory in your everyday life? (painting, cooking, creating, fashion design or pairing clothes together, viewing nature, etc.)
Other Comprehension
- What will happen if we mix all the primary colors together? (creates the color brown)
- What color do you predict the red mouse will make in a yellow puddle? (orange) Why do you think so?
- What color do you predict the yellow mouse will make in the blue puddle? (green) Why do you think so?
- What color do you predict the blue mouse will make in the red puddle? (purple) Why do you think so?
About the Artist
Jackie Friel
Hi, my name is Jackie Friel. I am a PreK-2nd grade Art Teacher on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. My hobbies include spending time with my husband Dillon and our French bulldog George, jewelry making, crocheting, painting, swimming and walking on the beach. I firmly believe in the arts as a therapeutic outlet for children and adults. I feel that it is important to promote individuality, build confidence, give support and praise to promote the love of creativity with all learners. I am excited to start this creative journey with you and your families!
About the Insider’s Club
Don’t forget to join our private Facebook Group for additional inspiration!
The Outside the Box Insider’s Club is a monthly digital membership that includes videos, downloadable curriculum/project plans, and tips to make it easy for parents to do art regularly with their kids! If you know someone who would enjoy this, please share the Outside the Box Insider's Club. If you have been a box subscriber for a year or more and have accumulated a large stash of art supplies, you may want to switch to the Insider's Club digital membership.