Mark Rothko Color Fields
Learning Targets
I can...
- Create an original Mark Rothko Color Fields using drawing techniques learned in class
- Use color combinations (analogous, complementary, monochromatic), shape variation (geometric, organic), and line types (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) inspired by American Painter (1903-1970) Mark Rothko
- Use value (lightness, darkness) and design principles (gradation, movement, composition) based on Abstract Expressionism
- Define Monochromatic (using only one color)
Lesson One
Day One, Art Start
1. Earth & Green (1955) Mark Rothko
2. Read Mark Rothko: From The Inside Out by Christopher Rothko
3. Discussion Questions "What kind of animal would live in a Rothko painting? What kind of weather would it be? If it was a house, who would live there? Do you feel like you could live inside one of his paintings? Rothko liked to communicate different moods and feelings by the different colors he chose. What feelings and moods do you think of when you see these paintings? what would you name this painting? What feelings do cool colors make you think of? DO you see how the edges of the colors are rough and blurry?"
Lesson Activities
1. Choose 12" X 15" Drawing Paper
2. Draw three line types (horizontal vertical diagonal) as a line design for the nonrepresentational color fields
3. Outline three line types (horizontal vertical diagonal) with different color combinations (analogous, complementary, monochromatic) for the Mark Rothko Color Fields
Day Two, Art Start
1. Retrieve Mark Rothko Color Fields for Assigned Tables
2. Orange and Tan (1954) Mark Rothko
3. Discussion Questions "What does art mean to you? What ideas, concerns, or objectives have motivated your work? How would you describe your artistic style? What is success or successful to you? Is there a distinct mood? Does it make you think about anything? Does anything jump at you? What did the artist say about the piece? How did you start out as an artist? When do you feel your best? Do you struggle with comparison to other artists? If so, how are you able to move past this? What do your paintings reveal about your personality? Where or how do you rediscover inspiration? Who is the artist shown above?"
Lesson Activities
1. Use a ruler, compass, or straightedge to draw the foreground (organic, free form, geometric, shape variation) of the monochromatic color fields
2. Add details (blending, smudging, smearing) to middle ground (organic, free form, geometric, shape variation) of monochromatic color fields
3. Use color combinations (analogous, monochromatic, complementary) to outline the foreground and middle ground of the Mark Rothko Color Fields
Day Three, Art Start
1. Retrieve Mark Rothko Color Fields for Assigned Tables
2. Set Up Studio Area (paper towel, pencils, chalk)
Lesson Activities
1. Add highlights (reflective light, light source) within the foreground of the monochromatic color fields
2. Add shadows (cast shadow, shadow) within the middle ground of the monochromatic color fields
3. Add details (blending, smudging, smearing) within the background of the Mark Rothko Color Fields
Artist Examples
Student Examples 
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