Color Mixing Tape Paintings

After first grade finished up their Mondrian inspired paintings they were itching to mix the primary colors together.  Although this lesson was going to be primarily about how to make secondary colors we wanted to make things even more interesting by using the tape resit method.  First, students had to create a design using at least four pieces of tape and placing them in either vertical, horizontal, or straight lines.  It was stressed to measure the tape first before cutting and then press down on the entire piece of tape, so there were no bubbles or the special surprise at the end may not occur.    

Color Wheel

Next, after watching a short demo, students were challenged to include all three secondary colors in their paintings, but only had the primary colors to make them.  Once they included all the secondary colors  (green, purple, and orange) they could use the primaries as is without mixing into their design.  Some students even painted designs over their colors once they dried! In the next class once our paintings were dry, students were excited to pull back the tape to see how the bright white lines underneath added a new element to their designs.   The biggest challenge for students was to remember to put the weaker/lighter primary color down first and then add in the darker/stronger color second, to achieve the secondary color they wanted quicker and without wasting paint.  For example, in order to make orange it was easier to start with yellow and add in a touch of red.  

Student Examples