Learn to Make Textures from Eric Carle Pictures {Part 2}

Eric Carle pictures and illustrations are simply brilliant! I love the color choices and the different textures he targets in his backgrounds, the different terrains and the characters themselves.

Take the hungry caterpillar image right below this text: look at all the different shades of green he uses and how he makes the caterpillar much more beautiful and fun to look at.

And don’t even get me started on the butterfly illustration for when the caterpillar goes through the amazing miracle of metamorphosis! In this post, we will learn how to make brush and scratch textures that Eric Carle pictures are so famous for.

Visit our caterpillar and butterfly hub HERE! We have dozens and dozens of awesome printables, activities and ideas that your kids will love! Don’t forget to visit our resources hub for music and fine arts! It is full of wonderful hands-on ideas for you to use at home.

Teaching Texture with Eric Carle:

There are many Eric Carle award-winning books out there, but this week, we’re focusing on two of my favorites: The Very Hungry Caterpillar (otherwise known as “the Eric Carle butterfly book”) and The Very Quiet Cricket.

1. Teaching to Paint Eric Carle Pictures (Learning color wash and splash textures)
2. Brush & Scratch Textures – (You are here)
3. Insect Textures (next week)
4. Blotting Textures
5. Project Completion

The Very Hungry CaterpillarThe Very Quiet Cricket Board Book

Texture #2 Scratchy Grassy Texture

Materials Needed⇒ Tempera paint in green, yellow, and additional desired colors. Wide brush and regular paint brush.

School Smart Tempera Paint – Pints – SetChenille Kraft CK-5941 Stubby Black Bristle Easel PaintStrathmore 200 Canvas Paper Pad, 9 x 12U.S. Art Supply 11

Note: Most paint types will work. Acrylic, is permanent when dry, so I don’t recommend it with children. Tempera paint is best for kids and less expensive. Mix paints for desired colors and help your child think about what shades are best for their composition.

Picture Study

For this part of the lesson, look at several parts of Eric Carle’s artwork for the grass. Ask your child how they think he created the grassy texture. Also look at colors he used for night time as opposed to those used for daytime. Are they any different? What other colors might you use for a night time grassy texture?

Make Your Own Grassy Texture

First, have your child practice brush strokes in different colors and directions. Use a variety of color and don’t mix them but instead demonstrate to your child how to make the colors streak. Using ample amounts of paint is important to later be “scratched”.

Using the back of a typical paintbrush, have your child scratch their own design into the excess paint. This will add lots of interest and give the impression of grass. Allow to dry completely.

These Eric Carle picture books are simply amazing, aren’t they?!

Eric Carle Book List

From Head to Toe Board BookBrown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?The Very Busy SpiderThe Grouchy LadybugPolar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?Mister Seahorse: board book (World of Eric Carle)Library Book: The Mixed-Up Chameleon (Rise and Shine)The Very Lonely Firefly board book

Eric Carle Videos and Resources

Walter the Baker (The World of Eric Carle)The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other StoriesEric Carle: Picture WriterThe Tiny Seed

The next texture will be revealed very soon!

For more Eric Carle posts, visit our fun landing page here!

Thank you for visiting our Learn to Make Textures from Eric Carle Pictures post!

You might also like:

20 Very Hungry Caterpillar Activities & Crafts (Free Printables)

The Very Hungry Caterpillar: Story Order Balloon Activity

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Snack Ideas

More Eric Carle Resources

The Eric Carle Mini Library: A Storybook GiftThe World of Eric Carle  Shapes Wooden MagneticMy First Busy Book (The World of EricKids Preferred World of Eric Carle, The VeryKids Preferred The Very Hungry Caterpillar Teether Rattle,Intimo Little Boys’ Toddler Eric Carle Caterpillar Pajamas,The Eric Carle Gift Set: The Tiny Seed;The World of Eric Carle  The Very Hungry