1. Tree Abstraction and Color Theory

3. Piet Mondrain March 7, 1872 – February 1, 1944
Broadway Boogie-Woogie – 1943.
Piet Mondrain March 7, 1872 – February 1, 1944

4. Broadway Boogie-Woogie – 1943.

5. Piet Mondrian, The Red Tree, 1908

8. Piet Mondrian, The Gray Tree, 1912

9. Piet Mondrian, The Flowering Apple Tree, 1912

10. 7th Grade Abstract Oil Pastels Drawings of Fruit and Vegetables .
Drill: Examine the two images below and write down as many differences as you can in your sketchbook.
THOMAS COLE (American, )
Georgia O’Keeffe (American, )

12. Step #1 - Measure out a grid
Use a ruler to measure out 2 inches on each side of the paper and then connect those points by drawing a line – LIGHTLY.

13. Step #2 - Draw out your tree.
Use the tree shapes below as a guide. You do not need to draw the branches out completely. This will be down when you paint with watercolor

14. Step #3 - Watercolor
Paint in the areas of the composition using colors that you would not typically use; i.e. no brown for the tree, no green for the leaves, no blue for the sky, no green for the grass.

15. Step #4 – Oil Pastels
When blending different colored oil pastels, the first layer should be applied lightly.
Press down slightly harder with the second layer so that the two colors mix and blend.
Test your mixing on a piece of scrap paper to avoid making mistakes.
Some of the mixing and blending can be done with your fingers but do not overuse this technique!
Criteria
Choose a color scheme for the sky, the tree, the tree top, and the ground.
Each square on the grid should be colored in separately.
At least 50% of the squares should include mixed colors.
At least 50% of the composition should include patterns etched into the pastels; sgraffito (see next slide).

16. Step #5 – Sgraffito
Sgraffito is a technique of ornamentation in which a surface layer of paint, pastel, plaster, slip, etc., is incised to reveal a ground of contrasting color

19. 6th Grade Abstract Tree Compositions
Students looked at a series of tree paintings by Dutch artist, Piet Mondrian. These paintings are wonderful examples of how artists move towards a place of abstraction with their work. This project also introduces the students to the concept of color theory, and a variety of oil pastel techniques.