My favorite way to teach color theory ~ Inquisitive Art Teacher

My tried and true way to teach color theory in a meaningful and fun way

I like to keep a healthy balance of teaching technique while still giving students opportunities for creativity and problem solving. I find that in seventh grade is a great year to be a little heavier in technique so that students are well equipped when they get more freedom in eighth grade. As an artist, I love mixing color and finding ways to understand color better. I have found this to be the best way to teach color theory in a way that is meaningful to the students.

Warm-up activity: Color Mixing Game (teams of 2-3)

This is the perfect way to set expectations right from the beginning with paint set up and clean up because this is for a prize and students will try to meet all expectations to get that prize. BTW, the prize is a pencil, which is pretty lame but students love competing and will do anything to win no matter what the prize. The object of the game is to problem solve with their groups to match a finished work that is hanging on the board. In the process they are practicing different painting techniques they can employ later as well as practicing color mixing. Normally, I would never want students to copy the teacher example. In this case, its a problem solving activity which is putting the burden on their brains and equipping them for techniques for future painting projects.

1. Set up palettes with only red, yellow, blue, black and white. Set up water and brushes.

2. Reveal the Painting:

You would be amazed at how intently students work! This takes a total of two 48 minute periods so the students who get to class sooner on the second day have an advantage. This was by far the most prompt my class has ever been!

At the end of day 2, choose a winner.

Activity #2: Blurry landscape paintings using only red, yellow, blue, black and white.

On my smartboard I will show students 9 landscapes. The students will pick 4 of the 9 to paint. This is a challenge for the students but I blur the smartboard in an attempt to force them to paint large areas, ignoring details until the end. Later into the activity, I focus the board so students can paint details on top of larger areas. Its amazing to see them put their color theory knowledge into practice as they mix color to achieve the different colors in the landscapes! I think their landscapes are absolutely beautiful!