The 5th grade class completed a project on discovering mathematical elements in the paintings of Paul Klee and creating their own art inspired by his style. The project involved 9 steps: 1) Learning about Johannes Itten's color wheel, 2) Distinguishing warm and cool colors in Klee's work, 3) Researching Klee's biography, 4) Discussing his style and techniques, 5) Drawing pictures inspired by Klee's titles, 6) Coloring with watercolors using warm and cool tones, 7) Analyzing Klee's painting "Senecio", 8) Adding color and details to "Senecio", and 9) Creating self-portraits using Klee's elements. The project was

1. A 16:
„Maths elements in paintings“
Discovering math elements in the work of Paul Klee (1879-1940)
and creating own paintings using Paul Klee’s stylistic elements
The project was done by 5th
grade.

2. Step 1
Getting to know
the colour wheel
of Johannes Itten
(1888-1967).

3. Step 2
Distinguishing warm and cool colours
based on Paul Klee’s painting
„Der Seefahrer“.
Talking about
the emotional
and artistic effects.

4. Step 3
Biography of Paul Klee:
Reading a text
about Paul Klee and
extracting important facts
about his life in group work.

6. Step 4
The artist Paul Klee:
Talking about his style, methods and
techniques

7. Step 5
Drawing pictures inspired
by different titles
of Paul Klee’s paintings.

9. Step 6
Colouring in with water colours using warm
and cool colours inspired by Paul Klee’s
painting „Haupt- und Nebenwege“.

11. Step 7
Viewing the painting
„Senecio“;
discovering typical
style elements
of Paul Klee.

12. Step 8 A
Getting to know complementary colours
and their artistic effects; colouring in the
painting „Senecio“ with water colours;
trying out different colour effects.

14. Step 8 B
More advanced: Creating a body to the
head of „Senecio“, stylistically inspired by
Paul Klee.

15. Step 9
Taking photos of children;
creating a self-portrait using Paul Klee’s
stylistic elements with a transparent colour
application.

17. The project was planned and supported by
Bettina Bernhardt & Rabea Thorwart-Schorr