This Henry Ossawa Tanner-inspired watercolor art project, based on his famous painting The Banjo Lesson (1893), is the perfect easy art project for kids. With just watercolor paper, paints, and a brush, kids will get to explore storytelling through art while creating their own version of this beautiful masterpiece.
This project isn’t just about painting—it’s about connection, family, and culture. Plus, it’s a relaxing watercolor activity that kids will love. If you’re looking for a hands-on Black History Month art project that’s easy, educational, and meaningful, you’re in the right place.
Who Was Henry Ossawa Tanner?
Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859–1937) was the first internationally recognized Black American painter. Growing up in Pennsylvania, Tanner faced racism and challenges because of his race but never gave up on his dream of becoming an artist. Eventually, he moved to France, where his art gained the attention and respect it deserved.
One of his most famous paintings, The Banjo Lesson (1893), shows a grandfather teaching his grandson to play the banjo. But it’s more than just a music lesson—it’s a story of love, family, and passing down traditions. Tanner’s use of light and shadow in this painting gives it a warm, intimate feeling, making it one of the most important works in American art history.
Tanner’s legacy teaches us that art can tell powerful stories—stories of struggle, love, and identity. His work reminds us that Black history is American history, and there’s so much we can learn by exploring it through art.
Why You’ll Love This Henry Ossawa Tanner Art Project
- It’s meaningful – Kids create art with a story, learning about family bonds and traditions.
- Super simple set-up – Just watercolors, paper, and a brush—easy for home or classroom.
- Introduces fine art concepts – Talk about light, shadow, and storytelling through painting.
- Perfect for Black History Month – Celebrate an artist who broke barriers and made history.
- Peaceful and calming – Watercolor painting is relaxing and therapeutic for kids (and grown-ups too!).
Materials You’ll Need
- Free printable coloring page of The Banjo Lesson (see below)
- Watercolor paper
- Watercolor paints
- Paintbrushes (various sizes if available)
- Cup of water
- Paper towels (for blotting and cleanup)
How to Create a Henry Ossawa Tanner-Inspired Watercolor Painting
- Lay down some newspaper or a plastic sheet—watercolor can get splashy! Print out the Banjo Lesson coloring page and place it on top of the watercolor paper (if tracing) or simply use it as a reference.
- Before starting, look at the original painting together (see above). Ask questions:
- What do you think the boy and grandfather are feeling?
- Why do you think Tanner chose this scene?
- How do the colors make you feel?
- Begin by painting the background in light washes—Tanner used soft tones, so encourage kids to try light blues, browns, and warm yellows. Next, move to the figures, using deeper tones for clothing and warm browns for skin tones. Remind kids to blend colors softly to capture the gentle light Tanner was famous for.
- Once the main areas are dry, add small details—the banjo strings, facial expressions, and folds in the clothing. Encourage kids to take their time and notice how shadows add depth to the painting.
- Once the painting is complete, talk about the experience.
- What was your favorite part of this project?
- What story do you think your painting tells?
- How does art help us tell stories about people and culture?
Incorporating This Project into Black History Month Learning
This art project offers a beautiful opportunity to celebrate Black history through creativity. Tanner’s work highlights everyday moments that are rich in meaning—and this project encourages kids to see the beauty in everyday life too.
Ideas for Meaningful Conversations:
- Discuss Tanner’s courage – How did he stay focused on art despite facing racism?
- Talk about storytelling in art – What can art tell us that words sometimes can’t?
- Connect with family traditions – Have kids share special things they’ve learned from family members.
- Celebrate art as history – Remind kids that Black history is just history, and everyone’s stories matter.
Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers
There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!
But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.
Play2Learn for Toddlers includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.
Play2Learn Preschool which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years. That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again!
These toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!
Click here for more information: Play2Learn
Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids
Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon.
Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.
Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.
Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids
Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more.
Find out more and grab your copy here.
Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.
Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids
Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast? The Big Riddle Book for Kids, of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles tha. t show them how to think outside the box.
- 350 riddles for kids—Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
- Level up their skills—Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
- Double-check their work—Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.
Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!
Designed for kids ages 6 years old and up.
TV Show: Curious Crafting
I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show Curious Crafting which launched in July 2022 on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube! Season 2 aired in August 2023! My show was also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.
Curious Crafting Season 1 is also now airing in Australia on ABC! Watch it here!
Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.
In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create.
Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.
This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up.
