Balance in Art

Introduction

Have you ever seen a picture that looked like it might tip over to one side at any moment? If so, that picture is what artists like to call "unbalanced." Unbalanced pictures have more "visual weight" on one side than the other, so they look heavier on one side. Visual weight can be made by having bigger things on one side than the other, more items on one side of the picture, or brighter colors on one side of the picture.

In this webquest you will explore the use of symmetry and balance in art.  

We will examine the essential questions:

1. How can artists use balance to create an aestetically successful piece?

2. Who is Piet Mondrian?

Task

in this webequest, you will view videos, look at samples of artwork and read passages on the subject of Balance. We will examine pieces that are symmetrical, asymmetrical and radially balanced.  You will learn about the artist Piet Mondrian and create a work of art inspired by him.  You will turn in your Mondrian computer generated image and respond to questions on the accompanying sheet.

Process

1. Watch the following video and repond to questions on your worksheet.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F42eJ60Y0UE]

2. Visit the following websites to learn about the artist Piet Mondrian.  Answer the questions on your worksheet.

http://artsmarts4kids.blogspot.com/2007/12/piet-mondrian.html

Watch the following video to learn more about Mondrian.

[video:http://youtu.be/dhv3_nGfETw]

Enrichment: to learn more about Mondrian 

http://www.theartstory.org/artist-mondrian-piet.htm

3. Visit these websites to see some of Piet Mondrian's works of art. Which artwork is your favorite and why?

http://www.philamuseum.org/collections/results.html?searchTxt=&bSuggest=1&searchNameID=16070

http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/mondrian

4. Vist the Mondrian Maker.  You will create your own balanced piece of art inspired by Piet Mondrian.  When creating your piece you should balance your colors and lines in your composition. Directions on how to control lines & colors are at the bottom of the website.

http://www.tristesse.com/~howie/Flash/MondRect.html

Evaluation

You will turn in your question sheet responses and a print out of your Mondrian inspired Art.

Conclusion

By the conclusion of this lesson you should be be able to define and apply the following terms: balance, symmetry, asymmetrical, radial balance.  You will be able to recognize the art of Piet Mondrian.

Credits

Teacher Page

Balance Webquest

Link to webquest can be found at:     https://www.createwebquest.com/webquest/balance-art

Name:________________________________________________________________

Step 1.Symmetry & Balance Video

  1. What is symmetry?  Where do we see it being used?

 

 

 

  1. What sense does symmetry convey to the viewer?

 

  1. What art work is highlighted in the video for being an excellent example of symmetry?

 

 

  1. What is radial balance? What is an example of this?

 

 

 

  1. What is asymmetrical balance?

 

 

 

Step 2. Mondrian Information from website link

  1. What kind of medium (paint, sculpture,photography,etc) does Mondrian use?

 

 

  1. What is Mondrian most famous for?

 

 

 

  1. Did he always paint this way? What did his early paintings look like?

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Mondrian helped create the movement De Stijl. (Click on green link) Describe what artworks in this movement look like? 

 

 

 

 

  1.  Other than painting where else were the ideas of De Stijl used?

 

 

Mondrian Video

  1. What did his studio look like?

 

 

  1. How did Jazz influence his work?

 

 

 

Step 3. Mondrian Artwork

  1. What is your favorite Piet Mondrian artwork? Why?

 

 

Step 4. Create a Mondrian inspired artwork with Mondrian Maker

  1. To use: move mouse and left click to split the canvas.  Move mouse and right  click in a section to add color.  Click on the icon in the lower right to reset.  Remember you are trying to create a canvas that is balanced.  This balance should be seen in the shapes and colors.

 

Send me your image or print it:

  1. Open a new word document  or email if sending
  2. Make sure your painting is in the center of your screen.  Press print screen (Prt Scr)
  3. Paste your image into your word document or email.
  4. Right click and choose the cropping tool.  Only select your painting, hit enter when done cropping
  5. Save your image and print in color or email me the image