DLTK's Educational Activities for Kids
Shapes Collage: Discovering Shapes and Colors with Paul Klee

Paul Klee was a Swiss-born artist known for his unique, abstract style. His work often combined elements of Expressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism, but it was also marked by a sense of playfulness and imagination. This makes Klee a great inspiration for young artists.

Introducing a variety of artists who use shapes and colors in their work can be a fantastic way to engage children's interest and allow them to discover which styles resonate with them most. This approach not only nurtures their artistic sensibilities but also fosters independence and critical thinking.

Consider starting with a brief overview of each artist. Show examples of their work and discuss their unique approaches to using shapes and colors. Encourage the children to observe the different artworks closely and ask questions. What emotions do the different styles evoke? How have the artists used shapes and colors in their compositions? Which works do they find most appealing and why?

Paul Klee's abstract works can be a starting point, demonstrating how basic shapes can come together to form intricate compositions. His art can inspire children to see the endless possibilities within a simple square or triangle.

Then, delve into the world of Piet Mondrian, whose minimalist use of rectangles and primary colors can show students how simplicity can create harmony and balance.

Explore the emotional expressiveness of Wassily Kandinsky's work, where shapes like circles and triangles can symbolize different feelings.

Discuss Kazimir Malevich's iconic "Black Square" and the Suprematist movement, which used basic shapes and a limited color palette to convey complex ideas.

Josef Albers provides an opportunity to explore color theory within the confines of a simple square shape, while Alexander Calder's mobiles can inspire children to think about how shapes can move and interact in three-dimensional space.

For a lesson in geometry, introduce M.C. Escher's tessellations, which show how shapes can fit together without gaps or overlaps.

Frank Stella's minimalist works demonstrate the visual impact of repetition, and Bridget Riley's Op Art can provide an engaging and interactive lesson on optical illusions.

Finally, Yayoi Kusama's polka dot-filled art can captivate children with its vibrancy and repetition.

Once students have explored these artists' works, encourage them to pick the style that appeals to them most for their own art project. This could involve creating a Klee-inspired patchwork of color, a Mondrian-style composition of rectangles, or a Kusama-inspired polka dot masterpiece.

By allowing children to choose their artistic direction, you'll encourage a sense of ownership and personal expression in their work. Meanwhile, the focus on shapes and colors will provide a unifying thread, tying their individual projects back to the broader art curriculum.

Shapes collageToday, we'll be creating our very own Paul Klee inspired collages. We'll explore shapes, colors, and how they interact with each other to form a complete picture. The best part? There's no right or wrong way to create your artwork. The goal is to have fun, be creative, and express yourself. So let's get started!

Materials:

Before we dive into our project, let's take a moment to look at some of Klee's works. You can easily find them online or in art books. Pay close attention to the shapes, lines, and colors he uses. Notice how he combines them in a way that's both imaginative and playful. Keep these images in your mind as we move on to our project.

 

Instructions:

To start, we're going to create a variety of shapes. Squares, rectangles, triangles, circles - anything goes! You can draw these shapes directly onto your construction paper and then cut them out. Don't be afraid to play with different sizes and colors.

Remember, art is all about expressing yourself, so there's no need to strive for perfect shapes. Let your scissors wander as they will!

Now that we have our shapes, it's time to start building our collage. This is where you get to be the artist and decide where each shape belongs on your paper. Try to arrange your shapes in a way that makes you happy. You might choose to create an abstract scene, a landscape, a cityscape, or anything else you can dream up!

Don't rush this step. Take your time to move the shapes around, and see how different arrangements change the overall feeling of your picture. Once you're happy with your arrangement, you can start gluing your shapes down.

Our collages are looking great, but we're not done yet! Now it's time to add some details. Using your markers or colored pencils, think about what else you might want to include in your picture.

Would your shapes look fun with some patterns or lines drawn on them? Do you want to add some additional elements or creatures to your scene? This is your chance to add those little touches that will make your artwork uniquely yours.

Shapes collage of a houseWow! Look at what we've created! Once you've finished your collage, take a step back and look at your work. How does it make you feel? What do you like most about it? Can you see how the colors, shapes, and lines interact with each other?

Share your artwork with a friend or family member. What do they see in your artwork? Remember, everyone can see something different in the same picture, and that's one of the things that makes art so magical!

By creating these collages, we've not only made something beautiful, but we've also stepped into the shoes of an artist like Paul Klee. We've explored how shapes and colors can come together to create a picture, and we've expressed our own unique vision of the world.

Remember, every artist is different, and every piece of art is unique, just like you. So whether you decide to create more Klee-inspired collages, or venture into creating art inspired by other artists, never forget the most important thing: Have fun and express yourself!

It's time to celebrate! You've just created a piece of art inspired by the great Paul Klee. This is a big accomplishment, so give yourself a pat on the back. And remember, art is not just for keeping to ourselves - it's for sharing, too! So why not show your artwork to your friends, your family, or your teacher? You could even host your own mini art exhibition at home or school.

If you're feeling particularly adventurous, you could also take a photo of your collage and share it online (with the help of an adult). You never know, you might inspire someone else to start their artistic journey, too!

Shapes collage of a birdNow that you have a taste of Paul Klee's style, why not explore further? Look at more of his artwork and see if you can spot similar patterns, shapes, or colors that we used in our collages. You might also try creating a second collage, but this time using different shapes or colors. How does changing these elements change the feeling of your artwork?

Remember, art is all about exploration and expression. There are no limits to what you can create, so let your imagination run wild!

This journey we've taken together today is just the beginning. There are many more artists to learn about, many more styles to try, and an endless number of creations waiting to be brought to life by your hands. So keep exploring, keep creating, and most importantly, keep having fun.

Shapes collageArt, in its essence, is a form of communication, a way to express our thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. As we've seen today with our Paul Klee inspired collages, simple shapes and colors can come together to say something unique about us and our view of the world.

In the words of Paul Klee himself, "Art does not reproduce the visible; rather, it makes visible." So, my fellow creators, go forth and make your thoughts and dreams visible. The world is your canvas, and you are the artist.

Happy creating!
Leanne