The National Gallery of Art
4th and Constitution Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20565
(202)842-6249 (Educational Tours)
Instructional Unit:
Students will visit the National Gallery of Art to study artists noted for their color harmonies. Students will increase their appreciation of color techniques by looking at representative examples of paintings by artists noted for their color contributions to the field of art.
Curriculum Unit:
Grade 9
Art
Objectives:
1. Students will be able to describe the characteristics of color harmonies: monochromatic, juxtaposition, triadic.
2. Students will be able to seek out and identify artists who are noted for their innovative use of color in each of the three color harmonies.
3. Students will note the characteristics of monochromatic:
La Grotte De La Loue , 1481 - Gustave Courbet. Courbet achieves a dynamic unit in this painting because he limits his palette, mixing various combinations of one dominant color (tints, shapes, tones) resulting in dramatic values, heightened by thin passages and thick impasto.
4. Students will note the characteristics of juxtaposition:
Rouen Cathedral , 1843 - Claudé Monet. Monet's color sparkles because pure color has been placed side by side resulting in "broken-color" which mixes in the eye of the viewer rather than on the canvas.
5. Students will note the characteristics of triadic:
La Mousmé , 1815 - Vincent Van Gogh. Van Gogh creates a strong emotional quality in his painting through the ingenious interplay of the three primary colors (equidistance on the color wheel). The triadic harmony is most effective if only one color is allowed to dominate.
Pre-Visit Activities:
1. The National Gallery will be contacted for instructional packets, films, slides and a floor map of the gallery.
2. Students will experiment with various media: watercolors, oils, acrylics - mixing primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.
3. Students will achieve a knowledge of color theory.
4. Students will use visual aids (i.e. films, videos, slides) to view color mixing.
5. Students will have books, charts and prints available for consultation and reinforcement.
On-Site Activities:
1. Docent will guide students to specific paintings pertinent to their studies. Docent will also answer any questions.
2. Students will be given floor plan map and will be given free time to explore, locate and identify paintings relating to their lessons.
3. Students will be given the opportunity to purchase prints.
Follow-Up Activities:
1. Students will write a brief paper describing how the painting reflect the color harmonies.
2. Visit will be discussed in class and students will be asked to evaluate the experience.
Appendices:
None
Bibliography:
Publications:
Birren, Faber, Color, Form and Space, New York, Feinhold Publishing Corporation, 1964.
Sullivan, Catherine, Color Manual for Artists, New York, Reinhold Publishing Corporation, 1964.
Weekend Guide to Museums, Washington Post, December 15, l989.
Poster:
Hiler Studio Chart/Color Mixing Guide, 21"x27" Wall Chart, Posted in the Classroom
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