This abstract tree makes a really bold image and also offers a lesson is using positive and negative space.1. Starting with a square piece of paper, the students are to draw a tree trunk and lots of branches. I have a previous post titled “How to Draw a Fall Tree” which offers more tips on tree drawing. The ends of this tree need to extend to the edge of the paper to make closed shapes. I recommend students start with pencil lines, and then trace and thicken them with a black Sharpie marker.
2. When complete, the students are to fill in all the negative spaces around the tree with different colors of oil pastel. This projects could be done with a black crayon and watercolors too.
CA Visual Art Standard: Creative Expression, Grade Four
2.6 Use the interaction between positive and negative space expressively in a work of art.
