TITLE: Monochromatic Painting
AUTHOR: Marcella Embry; Washoee Co. GT, NV
GRADE LEVEL/SUBJECT: 5-12 art and language arts.
OVERVIEW: This activity is very simple to prepare and only requires that
the students have access to a sink.
PURPOSE: This activity is designed to create a connection between art
and language, and to generate critical discussion.
OBJECTIVES:
1. Students will experiment with monochromatic painting.
2. Students will create an original monochromatic painting.
3. Students will learn and understand the definitions of monochromatic,
tint, and shade.
4. Students will analyze their paintings objectively.
5. Students will determine the connection between color and emotion.
RESOURCES/MATERIALS:
Vocabulary:
1. tint - adding white to a color to create different hues
2. shading - adding black to a color to create different hues
3. monochromatic - artwork created using one color
4. palette - a flat piece of wood or plastic on which an artist mixes
colors for painting
Materials:
1. white art paper (either 9 x 12 or 12 x 18)
2. undiluted tempra paint, multiple colors
3. paint brushes, multiple brush sizes
4. paint palettes (can use plastic plates)
5. containers of water (to rinse brushes)
6. rulers, compasses, protractors, pencils
ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES:
Have students close their eyes and imagine that they are either flying or
sailing through the Bermuda Triangle. It is a beautiful day without a cloud
in the sky. Decide what color would best describe how you feel right now.
As you continue to travel through the Bermuda Triangle, you begin to feel
uncomfortable, a little apprehensive. Something is not quite right. What
color is this feeling?
Suddenly you see it. It is the scariest thing you've ever seen. What color
is this emotion?
Explain to the students that they will be making a monochromatic painting
today using one of the colors that described their feeling as they
journeyed through the Bermuda Triangle. Demonstrate how different hues
are made from color by adding different quantities of white (tinting) or
black (shading). Place a small amount of a color of paint on your palette.
Mix in a small amount of white paint. Move over on the palette and do the
same thing only adding more white (tint) to your color. Make several hues
with your color and black (shade).
Give each student a piece of paper, his/her choice of one color of paint,
white and black paint, a palette and a brush. Have the students create
large overlapping geometric shapes and fill them in with their new hues
using different brushes. Have the students cover the paper completely
with the new hues.
TYING IT TOGETHER:
Have students discuss:
1. how they created certain hues.
2. their impressions of monochromatic painting.
3. how color can be used to portray emotion.
4. what they might do differently next time.
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