Plant Pigment Paint

Provided by: Garfield Park Observatory |Published on: June 14, 2025

Activity - Classroom

Synopsis

In this activity from Garfield Park Observatory, students will use pigments from plants to create works of art.
Students will guess which plant was used to create each color.

Subjects: Visual and Performing Arts

Authors: Garfield Park Observatory

Region: Global

Languages: English

Positives

This activity encourages students to be creative with the paints.
The activity can also take an inquiry-based learning approach, which will help grow students' curiosity and critical thinking skills.

Prerequisites

Differentiation & Implementation

Before creating the paints, teachers can take students on a nature walk outside to make note of all the colors they see in nature.
Students can make connections to literature by writing poetry or short stories to go with their paintings.
Teachers can connect this project to food waste, suggesting this as an activity for students to do with food scraps or produce that has become overripe.
Teachers can also extend this activity by making seed paper using this video tutorial and painting on it.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.