General | ART LESSONS FOR KIDS

Making new colors

Making color blots are fun and the kids get a real sense of how colors mix to make new colors. Give each child a white piece of paper and have them fold the paper in half. Meanwhile you have already set up a painting station with the primary colors in tubs and with a plastic spoon in each tub.

I really like this blot!

Discuss the primary colors (red, yellow and blue). Explain that you cannot mix other colors to make blue, yellow or red. The primary colors are special colors because if you mix two of them together you make a new color called the secondary colors.

Allow them to discover the new colors they make by letting them choose their combinations. They should spoon a dollop of two primary colors into the middle of the crease on their paper. Tell them to close their paper, rub the paint around, open the paper and what do you see? Their amazement at discovering a new color is wonderful and they’ll want to make more colors! Let them do this with other primary color combinations till they have made green, orange and purple (the secondary colors).

Fill the white space with primary colors

With the Grade Ones and Two’s I encourage them put paint on their paper and fill the entire white space with two primary colors. Then they close it, rub it a little and their final product looks pretty awesome!

Great result!

Great example of mixing colors by making a blot

At the beginning of each school year I like to teach a big unit on color. This is essential so the kids learn a bit about color theory, mixing their own colors, and exploring how they can use color in their art work. I am always amazed how kids now a days have little clue about where colors come from, how they are made and how they have the ability to make any color they want by mixing the primary colors.

At my new school I have had to start from the beginning with all my grade levels to give them a good base. I’m ok with this and it’s my chance to really lay a good foundation. Typically the sequence of lessons begin with primary colors, secondary colors, color wheels, warm and cool colors, making tints and shades and complementary colors. If I have time then I end my making colors the way they used to make them before you could walk into an art store and by ready made paint. I’ll post my lessons and place them into the grade level categories so it’s easier to read and find.