Abstract Watercolor Exploration

Why are we doing this?

• To learn watercolor techniques such as wet on wet, wet on dry, and dry brush techniques.

• To demonstrate an understanding of the elements of art such as line, shape and color.

• To demonstrate an understanding of the principles of harmony (repetition), pattern, variety, rhythm and overall unity.

Requirements • Must have the following in your final art:

• Wet on Wet Blending

• Wet on Dry Detail work

• Dry brush technique or texture

• Inkwork (with a fine point marker or pen)

• Demonstrate the following Principles of Art:

• Harmony

• Rhythm

• Variety

• & achieve overall unity

Harmony refers to elements of art (colors, lines, shapes, etc.) repeated over and over to create a unified look Rhythm--is repeating things in a way that creates a visual tempo or beat in an artwork. One way to do this is by using patterns which are a combination of elements (colors, shapes, lines, etc.) repeated in a recurring and regular arrangement.

Harmony (repetition), Pattern and Rhythm

Variety is creating differences and variations in an artwork to add visual interest. Use many different colors, lines, textures, patterns, etc. in a piece of art to create it.

Variety & Unity

Unity is the goal in art design. It occurs when all of the elements of art in a piece combine to make a balanced, harmonious, complete whole. The overall artwork achieves many design principles and is very visually pleasing to the eye.

How to start

ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES: •Shapes and brushstrokes should be organic (not geometric like perfect circles, squares, rectangles, etc.) •This should be abstract and non-objective (no recognizable objects, people, things, etc.) Just use the elements of art (colors, lines, textures, etc.). •If you don’t have a fine tip sharpie marker, you can use a blue or black ball point pen to outline your shapes. •If you don’t have watercolor paint, brushes, and/or a heavy paper you can pick these materials up in the school office. If you have tempera or acrylic paint you can use this instead but you must greatly water down the paint so it flows like watercolors.

Student Example Artwork

Re-watch the project guidelines video found here if needed: https://youtu.be/plscW7WUgis