In Art I, this six weeks, we will be focusing on the art elements of color and line. Color and line are very
important in all of your artwork.
Color Theory
Color is an element of art made up of three properties: hue, value, and intensity.
• Hue: name of color
• Value: hue’s lightness and darkness (a color’s value changes when white or black is added)
• Intensity: quality of brightness and purity (high intensity = strong and bright; low intensity = faint and dull)
Color wheels are used to create a logical structure for color and how they relate to one another.
There are several categories of colors based on the color wheel.
Primary Colors: Red, yellow and blue
Primary colors are the 3 colors that cannot be mixed or formed by any combination of other colors. All
other colors are derived from these 3 hues.
Secondary Colors: Green, orange and violet
These are the colors formed by mixing 2 primary colors together.
Tertiary Colors: Yellow-orange, red-orange, red-violet, blue-violet, blue-green & yellow-green
These are the colors formed by mixing a primary and a secondary color. That's why the hue is a two word
name, such as blue-green, red-violet, and yellow-orange.
Color wheels can be simple or elaborate…look at these three examples:
I am the color wheel
As you look at the color wheels on the previous page you will see that it is a very important part of creating art.
The colors you choose and where you choose to place them can make your artwork change in an instant. It can
go from bright and cheery to calm and somber by simply choosing different colors. Or you can add emphasis
to you artwork by placing contrasting colors next to each other. All sorts of things are possible when you
know the basics of color theory.
Our first project will combine the color wheel with self-expression. You will collage your own color wheel
using magazine clippings and then add some personalized words to finish it up.
Process for creating ‘I am’:
1. Divide the space into 6 section –
similar to a pie
2. In the center of your pie, draw a shape of your choice
that is big enough to write “I am” and your name.
3. Using magazine clipping and glue, collage the colors of
the color wheel into the appropriate section of the pie.
Make sure you put them in the right spot so it makes
sense. Fill all your pie sections completely leaving only
your center shape uncovered.
4. Using the small strips provided, write words or sayings
that describe you. They can be about your personality,
interests, or goals. All papers must be POSITIVE.
5. When you have five papers for each section of pie, glue
them down.
LINE
The simple definition of line is a mark made by a moving point. But line is much more than that when you
begin to use it in your artwork. Just stop and think about all the different types of line: straight, curved, zigzag, fat, thin, and the list goes on and on. It is up to you as the artist to arrange those lines in a creative way; A
way that creates patterns or images. Once you have mastered this, you will be able to create amazing artwork.
Zentangle or doodle art –
Have you ever found yourself making little doodling marks on the edge of a paper, mindlessly
while listening to someone talk? Maybe it was while you were talking on the phone to a friend. It
started as a line and then you added another line, then another until a pattern began to develop.
People often think someone who is doodling in class is not paying attention but the opposite is
actually true and finally a study was done that proves this.
Read the article “Study: Doodling Helps You Pay Attention” online at:
http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1882127,00.html
“Doodling forces your brain to expend just enough energy to stop it from daydreaming but not so much that you
don't pay attention.”
You will begin drawing designs developed by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas, called
“Zentangles”. A quick Google search will pull up tons of information and people who have
become pros at drawing using this art form.
Teachers will provide papers to each student which students will use to draw the designs
on.
Student should be able to supply their own pencils and erasers for the project.
Teachers will provide any additional supplies used for this project.
 Follow the verbal instructions given by the teacher.
 New designs will be introduced on a daily basis to be included.
 Students need to check with their teacher for project specifics.
http://youtu.be/Q4vlzJxsoHM
http://youtu.be/M2G9wWH7Zr0
http://youtu.be/KlQjpThXov40
Artist: Phil Lewis, Contemporary Artist
Focus on Color, Line and Repetition
https://youtu.be/ioe03mcmgp4 this link will take you to a video of Artist Phil Lewis
creating “The Buffalo”, an artwork done in a style similar to those above.
Phil Lewis is a contemporary artist living and working in the Boulder, Colorado area. His
work is full of bold color and line and lots of repetition. His works stand out for their
imaginative design. Phil Lewis has a very close kinship with the outdoors and his work
mostly focused on nature, animals and the great outdoors.
The students will create a design that is in the STYLE of Phil Lewis. The designs must be
original and reflect the student’s experiences and interests.
MATERIALS:
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Pencil
Newsprint
Watercolor paper
Sharpie marker
White crayon
Watercolor paint
PROCEDURE:
1. Students will plan their line design with lots of repetition on a piece of newsprint.
2. The approved design will be transferred to a large sheet (18X24) of watercolor
paper using transfer paper.
3. All lines will be traced with black sharpie marker.
4. All lines will be accented with white crayon.
5. Crayon can be added to create a resist.
6. The students will then use watercolor paint to complete the work.