So, you feel you should provide some basic instruction on the elements of art, but what are they? Four basic elements (color, pattern/design, line/shape, and texture) are included in this volume with lessons highlighting specific concepts within each area. The color section, for example, contains multiple lessons for each of the following concepts: primary colors, secondary colors, color values, black and white, contrast, warm vs. cool colors, complementary colors, tertiary colors, and the color spectrum. A variety of activities is provided for each. As children explore the concept of secondary colors, they complete a color wheel, play a color memory game, experiment with mixing colored water and mix graduations of color using tempera paints. When they explore repetition in texture, they use repeated line and shape to create texture, make crayon rubbings, create a textured abstract still life with colored pencils, and construct a textured landscape mural with crayons and textured surfaces. Each section also references selected children’s literature and fine art examples that you can use to illustrate the concept. No exotic art supplies are required; as most of the art projects are done on or with paper using paints, crayons, colored pencils and various around-the-house collage-type materials.

Customer Review

 
Michele B. from Georgia wrote the following on 08/15/2008:
I absolutely recommend this book! I purchased it for my 7.5-year old daughter. My mom and I both looked through the book ohhing and ahhing over the beautiful full-color pages. This is a very good value for the money. There are reproducible worksheets for color mixing and drawing. This covers collage, sculpture, drawing, painting and more. You start with lessons about lines and shape and then go on to color. There is a bit of teacher prep - cutting out shapes and getting the materials together. There are clear instructions and examples. There are teaching tips, lists of optional resources and some famous artist bios. It is all hands-on - not just reading about art, but making it! Exposure to a wide variety of methods and media. This is not as intimidating as some other art books I have seen. It is very do-able.