A walk Through Color Fields

Created by Sandi Arthur

October 2025

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Inspired by art pioneer Alma Woodsey Thomas, students will learn about the power of color to express emotion, and the use of repetition and rhythm to create movement and harmony in their abstract compositions.

OBJECTIVES

Students will expand their understanding of color mixing.
Students will demonstrate creativity and self-expression.
Students will learn about a pioneering artist who broke barriers in the art world.
Students will use vibrant palettes to depict themes of nature, space, and joy.

SUPPLIES (Per student)

● 9”x12” oil and acrylic paper

● Pencil

● ¼” flat brush

● 1” flat brush

● Medium paper plate with dots of 5 bright colors plus black and white

● Paper towel

● AAYF label

SUPPLIES (Shared)

● Set of 4-4.5” plastic lids and round objects (shared between two students)

● Water to clean brushes

● Optional: Color mixing chart (1 per table) and a color wheel for reference

ART VOCABULARY

Color Field Painting: Large areas of a single color to convey emotion.

Rhythm: refers to the repetition or alternation of visual elements – such as lines, shapes, colors, or patterns – that create a sense of movement, flow, or structure within a composition.

Palette: The range of colors used in an artwork.

Abstract Art: Art that does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of a visual reality but instead uses shapes, colors, forms, and gestural marks to achieve its effect.

Contrast: The representation of two elements of design in opposite ways, like light and dark color value, or warm and cool.

Tint: Adding white to a color.

Shade: Adding black to a color.

Monochromatic: Having only colors from the same family.