Elementary

Artwork by James.

The Essential Question
What is color? How can we mix colors to create other colors?

Objective
Students will use the primary colors, black, and white to create one hundred color combinations.

Materials
sketchbooks, acrylic paint (primary colors, black, and white), paper, pencils

Procedures
1. Start with a class discussion on color and color mixing. Cover the primary, secondary, and tertiary colors. Then discuss how students can mix colors to create other colors.
2. Students experiment with mixing primary color paints by completing a practice session in their sketchbooks. Halfway through the session, introduce white and black paint for students to incorporate into their color mixing.
3. After the practice session, give each student a sheet of paper. Tell them they will now participate in the One Hundred Color Challenge. Ask them to use the five colors they received (red, blue, yellow, white, and black) to combine into as many colors as possible. Challenge students to fill their paper and create one hundred color combinations.
4. Students create different paint swatches of colors as they mix. Adding in more or less of certain colors will help them achieve additional colors, increasing their chances of reaching the one hundred color goal.
5. Students have a gallery walk to view the work of their peers and provide feedback.

Assessment
Students write an artist statement, reflecting on their technique and their process of creating the various colors.

Leigh Drake is an art teacher at Old Donation School in Virginia Beach, Virginia.