This document provides instructions for creating a motif color wheel. It defines key vocabulary terms like primary colors, secondary colors, and tertiary colors. It outlines a 5 step process for designing and painting the color wheel: 1) designing a tapered motif, 2) finding the center point and marking radial lines, 3) tracing and cutting out the motif, 4) labeling motifs according to a color wheel, 5) painting with primary colors and then secondary and tertiary colors. The last part includes examples of student work and an evaluation rubric.

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Motif Color Wheel
Vocabulary

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 Primary Colors: red, yellow or blue: each of the
three basic colors of the spectrum, red, yellow, or
blue primary additive colors, from which all other
colors can be blended

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 Secondary Colors: color made of two primary
colors: a color produced by mixing two primary
colors in roughly equal quantities, e.g. orange,
green, or purple

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 Tertiary Colors: a color made by mixing two
secondary colors together or by mixing a primary
color with the secondary color closest to it

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 Radial Symmetry: symmetry of circular objects:
symmetry in which something can be divided into two
identical halves by a line or plane passing through a
central point or axis at any angle
 Negative & Positive Space: Negative space is the space
between objects or the parts of an object, for example
the area between a cup and its handle. Also the space
between an object and the edges of the canvas, i.e. the
space around an object. The opposite of negative space
is positive space.
 Motif: A recurrent thematic element in an artistic or
literary work.
 Asymmetrical: Having no balance or symmetry.
 Symmetry: Exact correspondence of form and
constituent configuration on opposite sides of a
dividing line or plane or about a center or an axis.

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Brainstorm ideas for a motif
You should have at least 3 viable
motifs to choose one from.

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Step One:
Draw a “Motif” that is tapered on one end.
Test it in a radial pattern. They can overlap
if necessary. Be creative!

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Step Two:
Use a ruler to find the
center point of a 12” x 12”
piece of watercolor paper.
(You can do this by drawing a line from corner
to corner diagonally, where the lines intersect is center.)
Then use a protractor to make
light marks every 30 degrees
radiating out from the center

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Step Three
Trace your final motif design onto thick paper
and then cut it out.
Trace your motif onto the first
30-degree line, and then continue
to trace around the pattern on
each line around the circle.

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Step Four
Lightly label each motif piece
according to the arrangement of
primary, secondary and tertiary
colors on a color wheel.

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Step Five
Using only the primary colors,
(Red, Blue and Yellow)
begin painting your motifs.

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Step Six
Mount your color wheel
onto mat board and
turn in along with your
self assessment.

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Motif Color Wheel
Student Samples

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Definition worksheet

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 Radial Symmetry:
 Negative & Positive Space:
 Motif:
 Asymmetrical:
 Symmetry:
Define Draw

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 Student Evaluation
 I created at least three viable thumbnail sketches _____(10 Points)
 I accurately found the center of my 12 inch square _____(10 Points)
and measured accurate 30 degree angles
 Each primary color is clear and in the proper place _____(10 Points)
 Each secondary color is accurately blended _____(10 Points)
 Each Tertiary color is accurately blended _____(10 Points)
 My design is original (my own) _____(10 Points)
 Good attitude and effort and class time used wisely _____(10 Points)
• TOTAL ______(70 Points)