Artists can use colour schemes in their artworks to create feelings of peace and calm by using harmonious colours, otherwise known as analogous colours, which are a range of colours that are close together on the colour wheel.

Artists can also create a feeling of excitement in their work by using a contrasting colour scheme, which can be created by using colours opposite to each other on the colour wheel, also called complementary colours. 

• Find at least 1 artwork in the collection that use harmonious colour schemes and 1 artwork that uses contrasting colour schemes. List the title of the work, the name of student artist and their year level, and what materials were used to create the artwork.   
• Look at the colour wheel and then find and list 4 analogous colours and 2 pairs of complementary colours.

• Where in the artwork can you see one of these colour schemes being used? 
• What colours does the artist use to create the effect of harmony or contrast?   
• What kind of mood or feeling do you think the artist is creating in this work?   
•  If you created this artwork, what might you change about the use of colour? 

Create a drawing or painting of an interior view of your favourite room using colours to create a scene of harmony or contrast.

Share your drawing with a friend or the class, and tell them about the colours you chose and what feeling you wanted them to provoke.

Well-known artists that can be used as examples or for inspiration include:

• Vincent Van Gogh
• Henri Matisse
• Edvard Munch
• Margaret Preston