by Alka Kumar
Pointillism is a painting technique developed by the French artist Georges Seurat in the late 19th century. It involves using small, distinct dots of color to create an image, rather than blending colors together. Pointillism is a great technique to explore in the classroom because it can help students learn about color theory, composition, and art history. In this article, we will explore how one fifth-grade class studied pointillism and created their own pointillist works of art.
Grade 5E began by learning about the history of pointillism and its key characteristics. They learned that pointillism is a type of post-impressionist art, and that it involves using small dots of color to create a larger image. They also learned about color theory and how to mix colors to create new ones. This included learning about primary colors (red, blue, and yellow) and secondary colors (green, orange, and purple) and how they can be combined to create tertiary colors (such as yellow-green).
Creating Pointillist Art: After learning about pointillism, the students began creating their own pointillist works of art. They started by sketching out their designs in pencil on paper. Then, using a black gel pen and sketch pens, they began filling in their designs with dots of color. The students learned that the dots needed to be close together to create the illusion of blending, and that different colors could be layered on top of each other to create new colors.
Reflecting on the Process: After completing their pointillist works of art, the students reflected on their experience. They talked about the challenges they faced and what they learned about color theory and composition.
By creating their own pointillist works of art, students can gain a deeper understanding of these concepts and develop their own artistic skills.