Submitted by Madeline Buonagurio, an art educator at Jefferson, Roosevelt and Washington Elementary Schools in North Arlington, NJ.

Objectives

• The students will create a portrait using one pair of complementary colors.
• The students will understand that using complementary colors next to one another makes each color appear brighter.
• The students will understand that mixing complementary colors together makes gray.

What You Need:

• color wheel
• 9x12 white drawing paper
• 12x18 colored paper
• two complementary color crayons

What You Do:

1. Review the color wheel with the class.

2. Explain that the complementary colors are opposite one another on the color wheel.

3. Have the class find the complementary color pairs (red & green, blue & orange, yellow & purple).

4. Explain that when they are used next to each other, they look brighter.

5. When they are mixed together they make gray.

6. Demonstrate drawing a portrait using only one pair of complementary colors.

7. To add interest, color some areas lightly. In other areas, press hard on the crayon.

8. Add a pattern to the shirt and background.

9. Use heavily colored lines in the hair to add texture.

10. Try mixing the complementary colors together to make gray.

11. Mount the portrait on 12x18 colored paper.

12. Under the portrait, mount the following explanation:

    I drew a portrait using complementary colors.
    Complementary colors are opposite one another on the color wheel.
    When they are used next to each other, they look brighter.
    When they are mixed together, they make gray.

Recommended Books:

I Can Draw Faces
by Gill Speirs, Katherine E. Speirs, Harry J. Sievers
This bestselling series teaches young artists that by putting basic shapes together, they can create fascinating creatures of the deep and human faces of all kinds and shapes.

You Can Draw: Amazing Faces
by Kim Gamble
Diagrams, illustrations, photos, and step-by-step explanations encourage readers to draw heads and faces in this art how-to book. Best for older students.