Critters & Complementary Colours

Lesson Plan Submitted by: Cody Kaser
Elementary Art Teacher at St. Anthony's Parochial School in Casper, WY. (USA)
Grades: 4 - 6th grades

Integration: Science

 

Analogous colors, "also known as adjacent colors, are colors which are next to each other on the color wheel."

Complementary colors "are opposite each other on the color wheel with one being a cool color and the other one a warm color."

 

Procedure:

The GOAL: Make a drawing or painting using two opposite analogous color harmonies, compliment each other, to make the subject really stand out.

 

To begin, the students have chosen an animal as a subject and have a picture with a natural background (Not unnatural habitats such as dog houses or bird cages). The background should be the animal's natural habitat. This might be a good time to integrate science into the lesson by covering the different types of habitats including forests, wetlands, and deserts.

 

Prior to this activity, they would have completed studying Color Wheels and can use a colour wheel comfortably as a guide for the activity.

 

Explain the 'in's and out's' of analogous colors. This prepares them for the next step.

 

Now explain complimentary colors; how one set can really offset the other and make them stand out. The students should have chosen two analogous color harmonies, which compliment each other.

 

The students having chosen two analogous complementary color harmonies, can make their subject stand out, by contrasting w/the background, creating a piece of art that is expressive and pleasing to the eye.

 

Materials:

• Pictures of animals

• White Construction Paper (or heavy Drawing Paper)

• Watercolor Paint

• Colored Pencils

• Tempera Paint

• Acrylic Paint

• Crayons

Resources

Links

Color Wheel Artist - A page on analogous colors.

Color Theory - Vicki Walsh's page on color theory and analogous colors.

Icon Photography School - A lesson in Analogous color in photography.

Understanding the Color Wheel – Analogous Colors