Balancing the Moon

Students are studying contrast (the relationship between light and dark) and composition (dominance in design) in art classes.  The term used to describe light, gray and dark tones is called value.  All are learning that contrast and value can be both colorful and non-colorful (white, gray and black are "neutral" colors).  Tones that have color are called chromatic and tones with neutrals are called achromatic, meaning having no color.  Students are also investigating the relationship of value to other art elements line, shape, color and texture.  

Questions students are thinking about are:

Can two dimensional lines and patterns show value?  How does the contrast of light and dark colors create mood in a work of art?  How does symmetry produce spatial unity in a composition?  How can value be demonstrated using different media?