Small Squares - Big Ideas: Thirty Fun Ways To Learn Abstract Design Through Collage, Drawing and Color

Small Squares - Big Ideas provides thirty fun ways to learn about design through collage, drawing and color. The author is an artist and retired teacher. She developed a step-by-step series of exercises that include examples of the principles and elements of design created to engage and entice. Readers are guided though a variety of projects that include abstract collaged art. In addition, a selected number of artists were invited to modify the existing art examples. Their contributions demonstrate ways to experiment with different media and techniques. The projects start with small 2 inch squares arranged in a grid like format that contain shapes of collaged paper. Corresponding line drawings copy the shapes within those squares. The reader is asked to color, draw, collage or add to the designs. They are invited to use pen, pencil, marker, watercolor and acrylic depending on the activity and art example.All of the exercises are designed to stimulate the imagination and encourage the development of ideas. As the art examples progress so do the ideas. The reader is introduced to the creation of simple patterns, enlarged single square designs, larger formats and eventually black and white large-scale art. Final art pieces include 3 inch squares and formats up to sixty-four squares collaged to form one image.All of these projects are easy and fun to play with and will provide a seasoned artist or newbie with hours of fun and activity. As an added bonus, the author includes Steps in the Creative Process from her book, "An Artist’s Guide to Becoming More Creative." By identifying the ten stages of the development of the Small Squares – Big Ideas book, the reader is given an introduction to their own creative process. As they move through the various activities they will be asked to decide on color, size and choice of drawing materials. Prompts at the end of each segment will require them to reflect upon their choices. In this way they become familiar with their own esthetic, and how they might proceed through any future art activity. Read more