Kandinsky Oil Pastel Circles

Kandinsky pretty much invented abstract art back in the early 1900's, and his “Study of Abstract Squares” is a fun painting to imitate.

1. Start with a 9" x 12" paper, and have the students fold it in half; and then in thirds so that you have 2 rows of 3 squares.
2. Using oil pastels, students are to make a circle in the middle of each square fill it in. Then they gradually add rings of different colors around it, some thick and some thin until they reach the edge of the square. The corners are filled in as needed.
3. Students continue until all the squares are filled in. Remind them that slow, solid coloring is going to look much better than quick scribbles.
4. Young students may just practice their coloring with a variety of pastels. The 4th and 5th graders could be challenged to use different color theme in each square. For example: warm colors, cool colors, neutral colors, complementary colors, etc.
This art was made by a 2nd grader.

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Torn Paper Kandinsky

Abstract art projects are great for those who feel that art is always about drawing, and may not always be so keen on their skills. Sometimes just making irregular shapes with color can produce beautiful results. These circles are created in the style of Kandinsky's "Farstudie Quadrate".

1. Give the students a horizontal 9" x 12" sheet of white paper. Then offer many colored rectangles (4.5" x 4") for them to choose from. They may select six, and these are to be glued down on the white paper, in two rows of three to make a grid.
2. Lots of additional (4.5" x 4") rectangles may be distributed. The students are to tear (no cutting!) an oval that fills one rectangle. Then they are to tear sequentially smaller ovals that fit inside, at least three ovals in each. As the pieces are torn, they may be glued down with a glue stick. Continue until all the rectangles are filled.
3. When the glue is dried, distribute oil pastels. Ask the students to choose colors that contrast with their paper, and then draw 2-3 ovals in each rectangle.

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Kandinsky Colorweaver

Wassily Kandinsky made a beautiful painting called "Color Studies" back in the early 1900's that is fun to imitate with oil pastels instead of watercolor.
1. Distribute 9" x 12" pieces of art paper to students. Give them rulers to measure and draw pencil lines across the middle of the paper in both directions.
2. Ask the students to start in the center and with an oil pastel, draw an angle and fill in the triangle that is created. Continue around the center with drawing triangles, only changing colors each time.
3. Once a diamond is created, add bands of color around the diamond, always changing color on the pencil lines. Continue until the paper is filled with color.
This picture was made by a kindergartener in an afterschool class.

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Kandinsky Circles Mural

Wassily Kandinsky, a Russian artist from the late 1800s, was inspired by the loose painting style of the Impressionists and ended up pioneering the abstract art movement. This mural is a copy of one of his most popular paintings, and can easily be adapted for larger or smaller classrooms.
This mural contains 12 pages and measures 35"x 23" when complete. For larger classrooms, just print extra pages and add another row. You can purchase my pdf file with instructions for just $5. Click the “Add to Cart” button below to make your payment and receive download instructions.

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