Kandinsky's Circles Art Project

It is pretty standard for elementary art instructors to teach students about Wassily Kandinsky’s Color Study – Squares with Concentric Circles from 1913. The easiest way to teach about this famous watercolor, gouache and crayon artwork would be to just show students the painting and have them make their own. However, a good art teacher will do more than just the bare minimum.

The “Kandinsky’s Circles” download includes everything a busy art educator needs to prepare for a memorable and successful Modern art project. This downloadable zip includes a 2 page PDF lesson plan that aligns to the current national standards for art in the United States. There is also a “Kandinsky’s Circles” PowerPoint presentation included. It is 27 slides long. The first 6 slides include the painting and questions for students to discuss when looking at Color Study. The remaining slides demonstrate how students can make their own concentric circle artwork. The demonstration is presented via digital drawings paired with text to assure that all students can see the tutorial clearly. The complete tutorial saves teachers planning time because they won’t have to make an example. The students will create their own versions of the artwork as a homage without the art activity turning into a craft project.

This art project lesson is only one class period long, and it is perfect for helping young students practice drawing squares and circles. It is also a fun way for them to explore color combinations just like the famous Russian artist, Wassily Kandinsky! This art making activity is so easy to teach that it can be left with a substitute teacher for a quick, one day lesson. This could also be a fun way to incorporate art into a math class when students study geometric shapes. The “Kandinsky’s Circles” art project is a great art project to do in conjuncture with reading The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds.

Standard: 2. Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.

Standard: 8. Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.

Lesson Objective: Students will be able to identify Color Study – Squares with Concentric Circles by Wassily Kandinsky.

Lesson Activity: Students will create their own version of Color Study – Squares with Concentric Circles by dividing their paper into squares and drawing circles.

Materials: “Kandinsky’s Circles” PowerPoint, paper to cover the tables, drawing paper, pencils, erasers, and oil pastels

Time: 1 class

Check out the Abstract Kandinsky Painting art project for another lesson on Modern Russian art. After exploring how colors mix together, teach Spectacular Scarabs.