Principles and Elements Abstract Art Book
Materials:
- Colored construction paper
- Scraps of colored paper
- Glue sticks
- Scissors
- Colored pencils, crayons, or markers
- Water color paints
- Anything else you can think of
To make an accordion fold book:
Materials:
- Colored construction paper
- Covers 6 1/4 x 4 5/8"
- Strips to make pages, at least 2 per book, more if you wan to make a longer book. The strips should measure 6 x 18".
Fold long strips in half, fold each half to the middle, making a 'W' shape. Glue one page at the end of the strip to another. Press accordion folded pages into a stack. Center covers on top and bottom and glue on. Paste endpapers into book. Endpapers cover the inside page where the regular pages are glued to the cover.
Principles and Elements Abstract Art Book
While making this art book, keep in mind Olivia Gude's Post Modern Principles of art, specifically layering.
Choose a single shape. This will bring unity to the piece. Make several of these shapes, using colored pencils, markers, crayons, paints or cut paper. Unity is created because the same basic shape is repeated throughout the composition; unity is often created by repetition of art elements.
Make more of your chosen shape. Make these with variations of size or form. Vary the proportions of the sides of the shapes. Make some of the variations as dramatic as possible. Create contrast. Variety and interest are attained by making variations of the basic shape.
Discuss how the arrangement of shapes can create a feeling of movement and rhythm in a composition. Talk about what times of shapes and lines relate to a certain action or movement. Demonstrate possible combinations using cut out paper shapes on an overhead projector. Have students come up to the projector to try out their own combinations. Have the students experiment with layering, pushing some shapes further into space while others appear closer.
After experimenting with possible combinations, paste shapes into place.
Create emphasis and contrast by adding a new kind of shape in the same or a different color. Add texture by using different types of paper as well as other materials such as foam or string.
Using cut paper or markers, add lines which will enhance the sense of movement in your book. Think about how these lines relate to the rest of the composition.
Consider the entire composition. Is it balanced? If so what type of balance symmetrical or asymmetrical? Do the pages seem to reflect Gude's post modern principle of layering? Add shapes, lines or words to create the composition.
Finish book by making an "About the Author" page and a cover with the decoration of your choice. Also, add a small envelope that has one secret about your book.
Not only the format/ layout of you activity is strong, but the fact that you promote a mixed media book creation allows students to use materials that they are comfortable with. I like you explained all the steps of the bookmaking and the game very clearly, but I wold love to see what lesson/ theme you would build this game into. The book focuses strongly on the elements and principles of design but an added concern/ theme may add additional depth. It also looks like you added text to the book...does the game also incorporate the interaction of text and image?
ReplyDeleteI do see the use of layering throughout the one side of the piece. The idea of creating a composition is taught through the project which I love! Not enough artists in my classes seem to consider it. And it isn't something we are taught to stress anymore in art education classes. The book breaks down the elements and principles and then asks the students to consider them as a whole which I appreciate. I feel like you could use more media than just construction paper and markers though.
ReplyDeleteYour book is very eye catching and looks like a lot of fun! I could see students having a great time making their accordion book while learning simultaneously. Adding the elements of mixed media and playing with composition is an exceptional way to teach students the foundations of art as well as the post modern principles. I agree with Emily- art classes seem to neglect teaching composition, and yet composition is like the wheels on a car so to speak. I love that you incorporate this part in your lesson!
ReplyDeleteyour book seems like it lets the students have a lot of fun while learning which i think is very important because it makes the students actually want to learn and do the projects. layering and mixed media are the principles i see in your book. i also see text but im not sure if it would count as text and image. i agree with the other comments. im glad you put emphasis on composition. it makes the students focus on the book as a whole piece.
ReplyDelete