The older classes started this session by painting landscapes in the style of Vincent van Gogh.  I brought in several examples of van Gogh’s landscapes.  Students each chose a landscape to use for inspiration.  We mixed tempera paint with wheat paste to thicken it.  Starting with just a few guide lines drawn in oil pastel, we then painted our landscapes using small popsicle sticks as palette knives.  There was a little grumbling about trying out a very different technique.  However, once they got the hang of how the paint went on the page and how they could mix gorgeous colors and create texture, they really took off.  Every now and then, I think it is good to step out of our comfort zone.  This project certainly forced us to do that!