The Big Idea:

How do artists use line and color to express moods?

Activity overview

Many artists investigate emotions in their artwork by avoiding realistic portrayals of objects, landscapes, or people. Abstract art uses colors, textures, lines, and shapes to convey feelings. In this activity you will study abstract artists and then communicate a mood through drawing.

Look closely

Click on each artist button at right to view detailed screens about the artist and his or her works. Be sure to click on all images, view all videos, read all documents, and look closely at the works of art.

In this activity you will:

1. discover three artists who explore mood in their work
2. make 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 and drawings
2. presentation and group participation

New terms:

abstract art, mood, representational art