Color Theory

Students in grades 7 and 8 created these symmetrical designs in various color schemes. We began by transferring a simple geometric design onto a 12 x 18' paper eight times. This created a layout that was symmetrical vertically and horizontally. Next, students chose 2-3 color schemes and filled in different sections with colored pencils. Students could choose primary, secondary, warm, cool, analogous or complementary colors. I also had the students use various techniques with the colored pencils. These included balancing the dark to light areas, blending from light to dark with one color and blending one color into another. This is a great introductory lesson to teach color and balance while giving students the opportunity to practice some different shading techniques.