Op art with Bridget Riley: Free handout and Youtube video.

Op art is fun to teach!  I find my students love it once they get the hang of it.  

Fourth Grade began a mini-unit on Op Art with a slideshow on artist Bridget Riley.

I asked the students questions about the art:  What did the notice?  What colors did she use?  What did it remind you of?  How did she do that?
We learned a little about her life too and her place in art history.
Next we received some practice pages.  Students learned how to wrap lines, create radiating designs, keep lines parallel, and make new shapes.
They were so intrigued with the optical illusion, I included this in the lesson:
Starry Night Op Art Gif
We practiced more designs with pencil only on "The Power of Line" handout.
For one of their final projects, students used their favorite technique on a 7 x 7" square with black ultra fine point Sharpie.

Their second final project, students created a hand illusion that appeared 3D.

Free handout download and lesson for Insects in Line.

If you've been paying attention - I'm pretty sure this is the last of the handout, worksheet, sub lessons I recently found in my files.  The "Insects in Line" handout from Ande Cook, sort of goes hand-in-hand with the "Expressive Line" handout from yesterday.  Using a similar concept, the handout asks students design insects and really use exciting lines to add detail.  I have written up a very short sub lesson that goes with it as well.  Enjoy!  And Happy Valentine's Day!

Free Expressive Line handout and substitute lesson

Here is another sample page from Ande Cook that was sent out with SchoolArts magazine several years ago.  The page "Expressive Line" challenges students to imagine everything a line can do.  I wrote up a brief sub lesson for this worksheet explaining everything the teacher should do to help students understand this exercise.

Substitute Lesson for K-2: Line Caterpillars.

I rolled out The Art Teacher's Substitute Notebook:  The Basics yesterday, and today I want to give you a preview of The Art Teacher's Substitute Notebook:  K-2 Lessons, coming soon!

*** The Art Teacher's Substitute Notebook:  K-2 Lessons is now available! Click here to get your copy!

The lesson Line Caterpillars is one of 10 highly detailed and easy to understand lessons in The Art Teacher's Substitute Notebook:  K-2 Lessons.  It may seem a little confusing to look at, so I've included the How to use this book page for easy reference.

The Power of Line Worksheet

This one is not mine, but I somehow got the file from an old coworker.  If you are doing a lesson on Bridget Riley, or op art, or simply the element of art line.  This page could be a fun little exercise!