This term, we have been exploring the work of the famous Dutch artist Piet Mondrian, developing our artistic skills and creating our own artwork inspired by his distinctive style.
Discovering Mondrian
We began by looking closely at Mondrian’s artwork, sharing our observations and discussing what we liked and disliked. We explored his use of straight lines, squares, rectangles and bold colours, learning to look carefully at an artist’s choices and express our own opinions.
Creating with Masking Tape
We used masking tape to create a framework of squares and rectangles, just like Mondrian. We then filled the spaces with pastel primary colours, leaving some areas white to reflect his distinctive style. We focused on colour placement, shape and composition.
Exploring Colour Blending
We developed our pastel skills by experimenting with blending primary colours. We used white to lighten colours and black to darken them, exploring how to create different shades and tones. We repeated this process with secondary colours, learning how colours can be changed and blended to create different effects.
Learning Through Copying
We carefully copied one of Mondrian’s artworks, using rulers to create straight, precise lines and accurately position our shapes. Copying an artist’s work helped us develop our observational skills, understand composition and pay attention to detail. It also helped us recognise the importance of precision when creating abstract art.
Art Inside and Outside the Shape
We chose a shape and filled it with Mondrian-inspired artwork. We then selected an area outside the shape to fill with our own Mondrian-inspired designs. This encouraged us to think creatively about positive and negative space, exploring how our artwork could interact with the shape and the space around it.
Creating Our Own Masterpieces
Finally, we put our learning into practice by creating our own original artwork inspired by Mondrian. We challenged ourselves to use three primary colours, one secondary colour, black and white. We made our own decisions about lines, shapes, colour placement and composition, applying the skills we had developed throughout the term.
Throughout this project, we have strengthened our drawing, ruler work, colour blending, observational and composition skills. Most importantly, we have learned how to take inspiration from a famous artist while developing our own creative ideas.
We are incredibly proud of how our artistic skills have grown and the unique pieces of art we have created!
🎨 3 Things to Try at Home!
Want to continue your artistic journey at home? Here are three Mondrian-inspired activities to try!
- Create Your Own Mondrian! Use a ruler and black felt-tip pen to draw straight lines, squares and rectangles on paper. Fill some of the spaces with red, yellow and blue, leaving others white.
- Become a Colour Scientist! Experiment with pastels or paints. Mix primary colours to make secondary colours, then add white to lighten them or black to darken them. What new shades can you create?
- Look for Shapes Around You! Go on a shape hunt around your home. Can you spot squares and rectangles in windows, doors, books or furniture? Use these shapes as inspiration for your own abstract artwork.
Have fun creating, experimenting and thinking like an artist!