Media & Techniques

Make Simple Painted Canvases to Teach Color Theory!

What’s better than art room decor that is multi-functional? Why not do a DIY project for your art room that doubles as a learning tool?

In the video, I’ll show you my double-duty color theory canvasses. To create these for your room, use the super simple shopping list below!

Make Your Own Color Theory Canvases

Materials Needed

12″x12″ canvases (use 12 to create primaries, secondaries, and intermediates)

4″x4″ canvases (use 8 to create a set of neutrals for each end of the display)

Acrylic paint in each color of the color wheel, plus black, gray, and brown

3 Helpful Tips

1. Use at least 2 coats of paint, going in different directions, to fully cover each canvas.

2. Use a plastic tablecloth to set the canvases on to dry. Newspaper sticks to the sides and back.

3. Use 3M Mounting Putty to mount the canvases. Except for extreme weather changes and HVAC malfunctions, these bad boys have stayed up for over three years!

As I frequently suggest, make these ideas work for you, your space, and your budget. If you’d rather mix the secondaries and intermediates versus buying each one individually, go for it!

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How do you display the color wheel in your room?

Are there any items in your room that do double duty?

Magazine articles and podcasts are opinions of professional education contributors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Art of Education University (AOEU) or its academic offerings. Contributors use terms in the way they are most often talked about in the scope of their educational experiences.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alecia Eggers Kaczmarek

Alecia Eggers Kaczmarek, an elementary school art educator, is a former AOEU Writer. She is passionate about teaching and reaching students through an innovative and meaningful arts education.

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