7/8 Color Theory, "Tree of Life" paintings - 2016/17

Color Theory sounds so structured and un-creative, but as structured as it sounds, it is one of the six elements of art. Along with form, line, shape, space, texture, and value, color forms the foundation of all art. After learning vocabulary and terms, students created color by mixing and blending the primary colors. Next they made their own mini color theory booklet and created a color wheel with tempera paint. This practice led to applying their knowledge into a unique acrylic painting. Concepts included; tint, shade, complementary, intermediate, primary, secondary, analogous, tertiary, value and triad.

What do 7/8 students, artists Gustav Klimt (born 1862, Austria), Natasha Wescoat (born 1982, Michigan) and Vincent VanGogh (born 1853, Netherlands) have in common? They each incorporated swirls and spirals to depict uniquely painted trees. Take a look at VanGogh's "The Mulberry Tree" from 1889, Klimt's "Tree of Life" from 1905, or Wescoat's "Tangled Tree" series from 2004-10. Mark Twain said “There is no such thing as a new idea. It is impossible. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope. We give them a turn and they make new and curious combinations. We keep on turning and making new combinations indefinitely; but they are the same old pieces of colored glass that have been in use through all the ages.”. 7/8 students incorporated the style of swirls and spirals to depict their own acrylic painting of a tree. Take a look at the examples. The photographs will be on Artsonia.com for you to peruse and perhaps order your child's art on a variety of products offered through Artsonia. A portion of the proceeds come back to Eagle School in the form of funds for the Eagle art curriculum.