Monochromatic Painting (Part 8)

Practice monochromatic palette in this art lesson: monochromatic painting (part 8).

🎨 Studio Brief #89

Paint a scene using only one color plus white and black to create tints (lighter) and shades (darker).

🎯 Your mission

Make a feeling with color, not a thing.

⚡ The twist

Use colors that don't 'go together'.

What you'll learn · 1 of 2

Paint a scene using only one color plus white and black to create tints (lighter) and shades (darker).

What you'll learn · 2 of 2

This teaches value without the distraction of multiple hues.

Get ready

Techniques you'll practise

monochromatic palettevalue paintingtints and shades

Washable tempera paintLarge brushesPaper plates for palettes

Step 1 of 3

Choose one color of paint. Mix 5 values: pure color, 2 lighter tints (add white), and 2 darker shades (add a tiny bit of black).

Step 2 of 3

Sketch a simple scene: a vase, a landscape, or a figure.

Step 3 of 3

Paint the lightest areas with your lightest tint and the darkest shadows with your darkest shade.

Did you know?

🤯 Mind = Blown

🤯 Mixing red, yellow, and blue paint together makes mud — but mixing red, green, and blue light makes white.

🌟 Artist Spotlight

🎨 Mark Rothko painted huge color blocks that made adults cry.

You did it!

🎯

We'll pick an art project that matches exactly where your skills are right now.

✨ More to explore

🌍 Where you see this: Every brand, every poster, every video game — color was picked on purpose.

🏆 Try this week: Find five shades of one color around your house.

👨‍👩‍👧 At dinner: “Why did you pick those colors? What feeling were you going for?”

Send it to a parent looking for a 15-minute screen-free creative win.