How to Teach Art to Children

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.