Alma Woodsey Thomas was a pioneering African American artist known for her vibrant use of color and abstract forms that celebrate nature. Her work often drew inspiration from her surroundings, particularly the gardens and landscapes she loved. When introducing color, I thought this artist would be a great way to teach my students about color mixing as well as my own personal art style, abstract expressionism.
Objective: Create an abstract painting that captures the essence of a natural scene using bold colors and shapes, much like Thomas’s distinctive style.
Pre-Activity
We began by exploring Alma Woodsey Thomas’s artwork and watching a short video about her inspiration and life. We looked at pieces like “A Rainbow Mosaic” or “The Flowering Earth,” which showcase her love for nature and color. We also discussed the shapes she used and her unique artistic style.
Prior to beginning our rough drafts, I had the students complete a 100 color challenge. This is purely an experimenting assignment where students get use to mixing colors and seeing what works and does not work. I encourage them to be as neat as they can be, however, I am more enjoying their eagerness to mix new colors, collaborate, and learn. Plus, they seem to really enjoy it! Click on the picture of the worksheet to download a free pdf or click here.
Materials
- Watercolor paper or canvas
- Watercolor paints
- Acrylic Paints (primary colors, black and white)
- Brushes (various sizes)
- Palette or mixing tray
- Cup of water
- Paper towels
- Pencil and eraser
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Steps
Rough Draft
Using Thomas as inspiration and playing YouTube nature and cosmos videos with music, students create a quick rough draft of the basic shape and design for their project. It did not have to be anything well done, but more the idea behind the final image. They focused on the shapes and forms rather than details. This will serve as a loose guide for your painting.
Color Palette
Alma Thomas was known for her vibrant color combinations. Students brainstorm color palettes, schemes, and combinations to use for their overall design.
Painting
We started with the background. Using watercolor, students used broad strokes and layers to establish a foundation. Once the background is dry, begin adding acrylic paint using the rough draft they created and focus on the tick mark style of Thomas. Students are encouraged to mix their own colors and think about the color scheme they brainstormed.
Conclusion
Creating an art project inspired by Alma Woodsey Thomas is not only a way to honor her legacy but also an opportunity to connect with nature and express your creativity. I have done many projects to introduce color to my students, but have found this project to be very successful for it allows students to explore their own thoughts as well as experiment with color mixing and choices for their work. I change up my lessons frequently, however, I feel as though this project will be on a steady rotation!
In the Art Room with Mrs. D 