Things ...colours, shapes & patterns
The following group of art works use colours, patterns and shapes as their subject matter. Some of the works are purely abstract while others use any or all of these to represent something.
Colours
•The colour wheel shows the relationship between colours and shows Primary and Complementary colours. Colours can also vary in brightness (intensity) or how light or dark (the tint) they are by adding white or black. You can mix colours to create new colours or change the tone of a colour.
•In art colours can be used in many different ways. Colour can create mood, colour can remind you of things (eg. blue may remind you of the sky or water), colour can change how you see an object, eg. a tree can be blue, a face can be green. Certain colours like yellow can make you feel happy or the colour black may make you feel sad (see the work of Barnett Newman, Morris Louis, Henri Matisse).
Shapes
•Organic shapes are shapes that occur in nature and have a natural look and a flowing and curving appearance. Examples of organic shapes include the shapes of leaves, plants, and animals. Artists use organic shapes to make natural, flowing soft shapes that can be calming or peaceful (see the work of Joan Miro).
•Geometric shapes are shapes that are sometimes angular, oval or circular. Most geometric shapes are man made and can be used to create a sense of order or chaos, anger or rigidity. Geometric shapes may also be used to create abstract interpretations of things that would normally be depicted as organic shapes (see the work of Frank Stella).
Patterns
•Visual patterns can be found in nature on leaves, on animals or in trees. They can also be created in art. Some simple decorative patterns are stripes, zigzags, swirls and dots . Others can be more complicated such as leaf patterns or plant forms.
•Patterns are often repeated and different patterns can be used together (see the work of Pierre Bonnard).
•Many patterns used together can make a painting look very busy.
What things can artists make using colours, shapes and patterns? CLICK on the images below to find out more!
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