Music to the Eyes

Create a color wheel template. Use a compass to lay out a circle on mixed-media paper.

Use a ruler to divide the circle into 12 equal parts.

Divide another sheet of mixed media or watercolor paper into 15-25 squares, creating a grid.

Use acrylic paint to add the primary colors to your color wheel and color grid.

Mix secondary colors from the primary colors. Add the secondary colors to your color wheel and color grid.

Mix tertiary colors from the secondary colors. Add them to your color wheel and color grid. You might also create tints by adding white and tones by adding gray. Add each tint and tone to your color grid.

Cut your color grids into individual squares.

Choose a song that will inspire your collage. Consider what moods or emotions the song makes you feel. Plan your collage, brainstorming how you can play with shape, symbols, and color relationships to evoke your song’s rhythm and lyrics

You might paint a background for your collage.

Cut shapes, patterns, and symbols from the squares to add to your collage.

How can you play with analogous, complementary, triadic, or monochromatic color schemes?

Lucinda includes symbols that represent her chosen song.

How does Tyler explore a monochromatic palette?

Which part of Amy’s collage features complementary colors?

Now it’s your turn! How will you use what you’ve learned about color to create a rhythmic collage? Turn to page 12 of your December 2023 issue of Scholastic Art to see more examples from the students at Princeton Day School.