Make your own Mars art in this fun, interactive class! Bring your favorite paints and a large paper to make your planetary scene. You can also use markers, crayons, or colored pencils. We will discuss the use of color in scientific images so that you can decide whether to use Mars colors or create a scene that shows elevation or color codes for different geologic features.

We will begin by examining satellite images to interpret the circles, lines, and blobs that appear. We will point out craters, fault lines, erosion, volcanoes, and dry lakes on planets and moons, and draw a few examples on our planning page. Learners will then select from a choice of Mars landscapes to paint. The instructor will demonstrate step by step how artists might want to plan out their landscape and then paint or color in the details.

When the paintings are finished, learners can label their artwork using printed vocabulary, or might choose to label a printed satellite image instead. Either way, learners will have a visual dictionary of geologic features that astronomers look for when they interpret satellite images.

Throughout the class, learners will be encouraged to ask questions, point out features of interest in the satellite images, and discuss how the images are collected with orbiters, rovers, and telescopes.

No previous knowledge of Mars is needed to enjoy this class.

To create your Mars landscape, you will need:
-a large piece of paper - if you are using watercolor, I recommend watercolor paper
-pencil and eraser
-paint or other art supplies of your choice
-brushes, if using paint
-cup of water to clean brush
-paper towel or cloth to dry brush
-ruler or other straight edge
-circular objects of various sizes, such as paper towel roll, empty cup, etc.
-printout of vocabulary, provided by instructor
-printout of planning page, provided by instructor