Art Movements and Styles for Grade 1
Key Concepts
- Impressionism
- Cubism
- Surrealism
- Abstract Art
- Pop Art
Impressionism
Impressionism is an art style where artists focus on capturing the impression of a moment. They use light and color to show how things look in real life, especially in natural light. Famous Impressionist artists include Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.
Imagine Impressionism as taking a quick photo of a beautiful scene. The photo captures the light and colors just as they are, without too much detail. The same way, Impressionist paintings capture the feeling of a moment with bright colors and light.
Cubism
Cubism is an art style where artists break objects into geometric shapes like cubes and triangles. They show different views of the same object at the same time. Famous Cubist artists include Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.
Think of Cubism like looking at a toy from different angles and then putting all those views together in one picture. It’s like seeing the front, side, and top of a toy car all at once, but in one drawing.
Surrealism
Surrealism is an art style where artists create dream-like and imaginative scenes. They mix real objects with strange and unexpected elements. Famous Surrealist artists include Salvador Dalí and René Magritte.
Imagine Surrealism as drawing your dreams. In your dreams, you might see a fish with legs or a house floating in the sky. Surrealist art is like that—full of unexpected and magical things.
Abstract Art
Abstract Art is an art style where artists focus on shapes, colors, and forms without trying to show real objects. They create art that is more about feelings and ideas than about what things look like. Famous Abstract artists include Wassily Kandinsky and Piet Mondrian.
Think of Abstract Art like making a picture with only shapes and colors. It’s like playing with blocks and using different colors to create something new and interesting, without worrying about making it look like a real object.
Pop Art
Pop Art is an art style where artists use everyday objects and popular culture in their art. They often use bright colors and bold lines. Famous Pop artists include Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein.
Imagine Pop Art like making a collage with your favorite toys, candy wrappers, and comic book characters. It’s like taking things you see every day and making them into art with lots of color and fun.