@The Arts Unit Creative Classes
The abstract world of Kandinsky – abstract shapes
Explore abstract art and music inspired by artist Wassily Kandinsky
Student visual arts and music resource developed by The Arts Unit
Years 3 to 6 music
What will I learn?
You will:
explore the concept of abstract art and the work of Wassily Kandinsky
identify shape, form and colour used in Kandinsky’s work
create abstract artworks experimenting with shape, form and colour
appreciate the work of other students inspired by Kandinsky.
Before you begin
You will need art supplies to create your Kandinsky-inspired masterpiece.
This could include:
paints, crayons, markers, textas, chalk
a ruler, paintbrushes, eraser.
Kandinsky felt that he could express feelings and music through colours and shapes in his artworks. For example, he thought that yellow created the crisp sound of a brass trumpet. The shapes he was most interested in were the circle, triangle, and the square. He thought the triangle showed aggressive feelings, the square, calm feelings, and the circle, spiritual feelings.
Look at these examples of his work. Can you pick the geometric shapes in them? Consider what you think he was feeling and thinking when he created these artworks.
1. Shapes and lines
Look at the diagrams of different shapes and lines. Even when painted in black, they give off different emotions, feelings or thoughts when you look at them. Some of them might make you think of anger or noise or speed. Some may make you feel calm or confident or happy. Each image will mean different things to different people.
Think about what they mean to you. You might like to include some in your artwork.
Now let's add some colour! What do different colours make you think of?
Notice how the same shape in different colours can make you think of something different.
You can also explore using different edges and shapes – hard and soft, light and heavy, solid and transparent. All these things enable you to add emotion and help tell the story of your pictures.
2. Create
Think about what we have learnt about lines, shapes and colours.
Create an abstract artwork using the following steps:
Step 1
Cut different sized geometric shapes from paper. You could use coloured paper, newspaper, catalogues, or tissue paper. In this example we have used post-it notes to create our shapes.
Glue them onto your paper in whatever pattern you like. You could try to overlap pieces or put some in a repeating pattern.
Step 2
Add lines to your artwork using markers or textas.
Try including lines that are:
different sizes and shapes
different thickness
curved or circular
touch the edge of the page
added to your paper shapes.
Step 3
Paint in the background of your artwork.
Experiment with different colours and methods of applying your paints.
You could use:
different brushes
a sponge.
3. Appreciate
Look at these spectacular Kandinsky-inspired artworks from students in NSW public schools as part of the Operation Art project. Read their descriptions to see how they were inspired to create their works.
Colourful Kandinsky
Elouise Fonda Cronulla Public SchoolOperation Art 2019
"I was inspired by Wassily Kandinsky's colourful, abstract work. My image was created using wax crayons and watercolours. I splashed coloured ink over my work to achieve a random, energetic, free-flowing feel."
Dancing to music
Keira Moukatas Kareela Public SchoolOperation Art 2017
"Kandinsky-inspired artwork exploring colour, line, shape and rhythm. This mixed media artwork incorporates ink, crayon, chalk and paint."
Sunrise
Joyce Lauti, Ioana Lene & Frankie Juran Bennett Road Public SchoolOperation Art 2019
"To make this artwork, we used watercolours, mixed acrylic paint with impasto medium and sewed designs. Our artwork reflects a sunset scene over a sea of water. It may not be obvious at first, but when you stand back you can see the gradual mix of colours and the abstract piece comes together."
Abstract
Tarana StubenrauchFaulconbridge Public SchoolOperation Art 2017
"I wanted to make an image that was fun, bright and cheerful."
Circles
Naomi EllisManly Vale Public SchoolOperation Art 2017
"I did light colours because I thought of Christmas. Green and red can go together, light green can match yellow. I try to do my best and that's how I did it. Kandinsky used light colours and they are very funny pictures."
The special artist
Roy WithersMurringo Public SchoolOperation Art 2017
"This bright painting is to make children happy and the stripes are full of happiness."
4. Listen and create
One of Kandinsky's favourite things to do was to listen to music to inspire his artwork.
You too are going to listen to music and see what images and feelings you think about when you are listening to the music.
First, watch the videos to see some of the images that Kandinsky was inspired to draw from music.
Then it will be your turn!
Kandinsky Composition VIII
Duration: 02:02Kandinsky's No. 8 – An animated short film
Duration: 02:31Set up your art paper, ready to draw.
Decide which of the 2 pieces of music you would prefer to create your artwork from.
Play the music again and this time as you listen, start to draw.
Don't think too much about it. Let your imagination and your emotions take over.
We can't wait to see what you create!
Be sure to display it proudly for all to see.
Fantastic work!
In Lesson 3, we will experiment with Chrome Music Lab – Kandinsky.
Abstract colour blend
Tanvee NandiniMittagong Public SchoolOperation Art 2019
Third-party content attributions
Student artworks from Operation Art, The Arts Unit media library, reproduced and communicated with permission. Provided all acknowledgements are retained, these images may be reproduced free of charge for non-commercial educational purposes within Australia only.