The Big Idea:

How do artists use line and color to express moods?

Activity overview

Abstract art uses colors, textures, lines, and shapes to convey feelings. In this activity you will study abstract artists and then communicate a mood or a feeling through drawing.

Look closely

Click on the button for Nathan Oliveira or David Park to access their gallery pages. Choose one of the artworks and describe how its lines and colors express a mood.

In this activity you will:

1. discover three artists who explore mood and mystery in their work
2. write a list of moods
3. represent moods through simple drawings
4. present your ideas to the class and participate in a class critique

You will be graded on:

1. effort in generating mood words
2. effort in creating mood drawings
3. presentation and group participation