6th Grade Analogous Color Paintings

My 6th grade students have been learning about several different color schemes this year. Most recently, we studied analogous colors, colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. Analogous colors are similar to each other; not opposites like complementary colors. Using analogous colors creates a harmonious color scheme.

My students each picked two colors of tempera paint, and I showed them how to slowly blend one into the other to create a gradation. Then, we looked at silhouettes, both in paintings and in photography, and my students created their own silhouettes on their analogous colored painting. I encouraged them to create a silhouette of something that they liked; many choose sports themes or favorite animals.