Teaching elementary students color theory doesn't have to be boring. Creating fun color-theory-based art can be accomplished in the classroom with a couple basic materials as a group. By setting up the project for success, a color-theory art lesson can educate and create finished art.
Primary and Secondary Colors
Start by including students in the learning process of basic color theory. The primary colors, which are red, yellow and blue, are used as the main building blocks for all other colors. The secondary colors, which are green, purple and yellow, are created through mixing the primary colors. Part of color theory for elementary students is mastering the concept of color combinations and color mixing.
By setting up a messy project that allows elementary students to explore color mixing, they will begin to understand the basic theories of color. Using finger paint lets students experiment with color mixing firsthand. Get students ready for a messy project by putting on smocks and getting a large area ready to work on. Let student use large sheets of finger paint paper and the primary colors to mix the secondary colors.
Color Wheel
Let finger paints dry and discuss with students the concept of a color wheel. A color wheel is a color chart showing how colors are mixed together to create other colors. Share an example of a color wheel with students and make sure all students can recognize the colors of the color wheel.
Get out scissors and glue for students to use. Have students use pencils to draw circles on the finger paint paper around colors of the color wheel. Cut out circles of colors from the finger paint paper using scissors. With glue, position circles on a sheet of white paper to create a color wheel. Help label the colors with black markers.
Primary Painting
For a fun finale to the color theory lesson, allow students to paint a picture of their own design using only the primary colors. Use large sheets of paper and tempera paint. Make sure to have various-sized brushes for students to use with their paintings. Encouraging students to use their entire paper will create a finished art piece. Let paintings dry and then allow student to add in details and lines with white and black paint.
