Art at Hosmer: Monochromatic Tints & Shades Landscapes

Monday, February 22, 2016

Monochromatic Tints & Shades Landscapes

Continuing our study of value, 5th grade artists explored tints and shades of colors. Tints are made by adding white to a color and shades are made by mixing black with the color. We began by practicing mixing our shade and tints, choosing three different colors to explore. We also learned about the concept of atmospheric perspective, which can be seen in many landscape photographs and paintings.

Atmospheric perspective describes the effect of objects being lighter in color as they get further away from you, and darker in color when they are closer. In addition, you can see more detail in the foreground and less detail in the background. We looked at some examples of photographs and paintings that demonstrate this concept.

We discussed how landscapes can be organized with a foreground in the front, middle ground, and background. We looked at different examples of landscapes, including rural or countryside landscapes, urban cityscapes, and even fantasy landscapes inspired by books and video games. Students sketched a landscape of their own creation, including more details in the foreground, and numbering their layers to match the tints and shades gradients they painted earlier.

The following class, students chose just one color to use for their tints and shades in their artwork, based on their explorations. When artists use shades and tints of the same color in their artwork, it is called monochromatic.

Students began painting the background or the lightest layer first, and then painted each layer a darker tint until they arrived to their color and their shade. We discussed keeping the details as silhouettes, or outlines of the shapes.

At the end of their project, students completed self assessments where they reflected on whether they had been able to create a monochromatic tints and shades landscape with a foreground, middle ground and background. Students also shared what was challenging and what they were most proud of in their art making process and artwork. Many students found it challenging to mix enough of a color to paint with, create different tints, and paint smaller details. Many students were proud of the landscape they had designed (whether it was inspired by a family trip or a favorite video game), their ability to mix a variety of tints and shades in their artwork, and specific details such as their dragon or their trees. Here are some examples: