Piet Mondrian used only the primary colors of red, yellow, and blue in his abstract paintings because he felt they created the strongest contrasts. His paintings featured squares and rectangles of these colors arranged in vertical and horizontal lines. Contrast refers to the arrangement of opposite elements like light and dark colors, large and small shapes, or smooth and rough textures to create visual interest and drama in a work of art. The document instructs students to recreate Mondrian's style using rulers, markers, and the primary colors on paper by drawing lines to divide it into squares and coloring them in.

3. When the artist does
not intend for it to
look like anything in
particular.

5. Notice how his
paintings don’t
look like
something. They
are just squares
and rectangles
that are only
colored Red,
Blue, and
Yellow.
Why do you
think he only
used red, yellow
and blue?

6. RED YELLOW BLUE
Mondrian used only
the primary colors
because he felt that
they created the
strongest and purest
contrasts.
What is contrast?

7. Light colors Dark colors
Large shapes Small shapes
Contrast is a principle of design that refers to the
arrangement of opposite elements. This is so
the artist can create visual interest and drama.
What are some opposites in art?
Smooth texture Rough texture

8. Use your ruler to draw many vertical
and horizontal lines. Similar to
Mondrian, color in the squares using
red, yellow, blue and black. Remember
that many of his squares remained
white. Use a ruler and a marker to bold
up your straight lines.

9. Your finished product will look like
a Mondrian Painting!!!

10. Materials
Supplies you will
need today
include blank
paper,
pencils,ruler,
colored pencils,
markers and…….