This document provides instructions for an art project called "Op Art shading blobs" where students will create an optical illusion design. It explains that Op Art uses tricks of the eye to make images seem like they are moving. Key steps include drawing curved lines and connecting dots to fill the page before adding just two complementary colors with darker shades in the corners and lighter toward the tops of shapes. The objectives are for students to understand concepts like line, space, value, color and movement through creating their own Op Art.

1. Op Art
• Op Art is art that creates and optical illusion, or
trick of the eye.
• Op Art often seems to move, or morph from one
object to another object.
• Some artists are famous for their Op Art.
• These include artists like M.C. Escher and Bridget
Riley.

2. M.C. Escher
Maurits Cornelis Escher
(1898-1972)
These are some of his
works.

3. M.C. Escher

4. Bridget Riley
• Bridget Riley (born 1931, in London)
• Riley creating Op Art that looks like it is moving.

5. Op Art

6. Op Art

7. Objectives
• Students will create an op art design called, “shading
blobs.”
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of line, space,
value/gradation, complimentary colors and movement.
• Supplies needed: 9.5”x11” white drawing paper (you can
work on larger paper, but this size allows you to easily
scan your paper.), colored pencils, digital camera (for
submitting work), pencil, and eraser.
• Frameworks: F.1.AI.1, F.1.AI.3, F.1.AI.5, F.1.AI.6 and
F.2.AI.2.

8. Op Art Shading Blob Examples

9. • Use a 9.5”x11” , or
12”x18” sheet of white
drawing paper.
• Start by drawing a curved
line across the paper.
Step One

10. • Add 8 dots across the
line.
• They should be at
different lengths apart.
• You need a dot close to
the edges of your paper.
Step Two

11. • Start connecting the dots
with bumps.
• The dots close to the
edge will go off the edge
of the paper to an
imaginary dot.
• The lines will eventually
go off the top and bottom
of the paper . Fill the
whole paper.
Step Three

12. • Continue connecting the
dots with bumps.
• The dots close to the
edge will go off the edge
of the paper to an
imaginary dot.
• The lines will eventually
go off the top and bottom
of the paper . Fill the
whole paper.
Step Four

13. • You will be ready to add
color, once you have filled
the page.
Step Five

14. • You must use
complimentary colors.
• You will only use two
colors.
• These are your choice:
red and green, blue and
orange, or Yellow and
purple.
• You will use colored
pencils.
• Press harder in the
corners... and as you get
near the top of each bump
get lighter and lighter.
Op Art Shading Blobs

15. Example of Finished Drawing; note that
these are not complementary colors.