Claude Monet didn’t just paint—he exploded color onto canvas.
He tossed out the old rules. No more dull browns or blacks.
Instead, he dabbed, dashed, and dotted brilliant color across skies, fields, and ponds.
Sound like fireworks?
That’s what his paintings looked like.
And that’s why he’s one of our 35 master artists.
Born in France in 1840, Monet became the “Father of Impressionism.”
- He painted haystacks over and over—sometimes starting 15 versions in a single day to capture shifting light.
- He floated on boats just to chase reflections on water.
- He even dug trenches to move his giant canvases up and down while painting.
This was a man obsessed with light, nature, and color.
And your students can be, too.
Here’s what kids learn by studying Monet:
- The difference between warm and cool colors (and how they feel)
- Why black and brown aren’t always necessary
- How to use complementary colors to make art pop
- How to express movement and light with short brushstrokes
- How to see color in everything—even shadows
And it’s not just theory. They do it.
- They color their own Impressionist color wheel.
- They create a Monet-style tree or flower vase using Q-tips and cotton balls.
- They layer reds, blues, and yellows to mix their own “living browns.”
- They dab, don’t rub. They explore, don’t copy.
Even kindergartners get to join the fun—no prior art experience needed.
Want to bring Monet to your classroom?
It’s as simple as:
- Watch the step-by-step teacher video.
- Follow our timed, scripted instructions.
- Use the supplies already included or easily prepped.
- Let students create their own Monet-inspired masterpiece.
And remember—whether you’re a longtime MTM school, newcomer, or somewhere in between—you already have access to the power of Monet through our Tracks or à la carte artist units.
Need a little inspiration?
Visit our Student Gallery and see what your fellow young artists have created after learning from Monet.
Let’s make the world more colorful—one dab at a time.
Creatively yours,
Meet the Masters
Inspire – Educate – Create
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