Lesson 24: Non-Objective Painting

Objective: To have the children create a non-objective painting with complementary colors and neutral colors.

Vocabulary:

complementary colors - Pairs of color that are opposite each other on the color wheel.

neutral colors - The neutral colors are black, white, brown, and gray. These colors are used to create tints, shades, tones, and intensity.

non-objective - Relating to a kind of abstract artwork that does not show recognizable objects.

unity - A design principle that creates the sense that an artwork is complete and that its parts work together as a whole.

Composition by Sonia Delaunay

Non-Objective Designs

Composition by Sonia Delaunay has a non-objective design. A non-objective design does not show any objects from real-life. Look at the repeated lines, shapes, and colors. When the parts of an artwork seem to belong together, the artist has created a feeling of unity. Would this painting look complete if some of the shapes were missing? Why or why not?
Now find places in this painting where the colors red and green are next to each other. Red and green are complementary colors. Complementary colors are opposite of each other on the color wheel. When complementary colors are placed side by side in an artwork, they create a lively feeling. What other complementary color do you see in this painting?
Artists can create neutral colors, such as browns, beige, and tan by mixing complementary colors. Where do you see neutral colors in this painting?

Think Critically - Tell what you have learned.

Studio Time: Non-Objective Painting

Materials:

Sketchbooks, Pencils, White Paper, Tempera Paints, Paper Plate, Paintbrushes, Water bowls

Plan

Sketch repeated lines and shapes to create an abstract design. Then choose a pair of complementary colors to use in your painting.
Check list:
- Create an non-objective design with unity.
- Use two complementary colors and mix them to create neutral colors.

Create

Copy your sketch onto white paper. You may need to add lines and shapes to create a feeling of unity.
Mix small amounts of your complementary colors to create neutral colors.

3. Paint your design. Use only the two complementary colors and the neutral colors you have mixed.

Reflect - Tell about your artwork.

Photograph and Submit your work on Google Classroom.

Photograph sketches as well as completed artwork.
"Add" (attach) to Google Classroom assignment.
"Mark as done" to submit your work for a grade.

Challenge: Complementary Color Painting

Create a painting with the outlines of two common objects using contrasting colors, one color for overlap, other for single object, combine colors to paint the negative space.