Art Methods Portfolio

 This project focused on geometric and organic shapes and patterns. Our drawings were based off the work of Wassily Kandinsky, who was a Russian artist well known for his abstract paintings.  On our papers, we drew three geometric shapes and three organic shapes overlapping each other. Then, we drew one line across the paper. We also had to include two patterns within our shapes. Each space- created by our overlapping shapes and lines- had its own color. We listed to music and chose colors based on how the music made us feel.  Extension Activity:  I would do this activity to learn about contrast and positive and negative space. We would do a similar drawing but only use black and white. This challenges students to think about the relationship between positive and negative space within a design and whether one has more impact than the other. 

 After learning about artist Henri Rousseau, we made a project with a hidden safari animal. We began with an upside down contour drawing. Drawing upside down is a technique that helps focus attention on abstract lines and shapes to make an accurate picture. We drew the animal with a light blue colored pencil. Next, we used pattern and warm colors in order to hide our safari animal. I overlapped several patterns until I couldn't see the animal anymore. We then made glasses out of construction paper and red plastic. When you look through the glasses, the safari animal becomes visible again.  Extension Activity:  I would use this technique for an art history review activity. An artist, artwork, or art movement would be hidden under the patterns. There would be clues written out for the students, and they would have to try to figure out the hidden answer.