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) drawing a tapered motif, 2) finding the center point and marking radial lines, 3) tracing the motif onto the lines, 4) labeling motifs by color, 5) painting with primary colors and then secondary/tertiary colors. The last part includes a student 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)