These instructions explain how to create a simple Op Art painting, using a geometric grid to create the illusion of movement. Famous painters who've done this type of work include Bridget Riley and Victor Vasarely. You start by creating create an 'optical' grid pattern, then 'color it in'.
You Will Need:
- A pencil and ruler (ideally a long one).
- A piece of paper, board, or canvas.
- Paints and brushes.
- Masking tape or frisket if you're not confident painting right up to an edge neatly.
- A bit of patience.
What to Do:
Step One: Use the ruler to draw a series of vertical lines from the left edge of the paper to the right (or vice versa). The lines should be parallel but of varying distance from each other. The best result is obtained by a 'wave' pattern, where the lines get progressively closer together and then further apart (this could be repeated several times).
Step Two: Draw horizontal lines from the top edge to the bottom edge of the paper. The lines should be parallel and the same distance from each other.
Step Three: Create 'diamonds' by drawing from corner to corner of the 'rectangles' (see example). Alternate diagonal lines from bottom to top with ones from top to bottom: /\/\. In the row underneath, do the opposite: \/\/. Repeat until you've done all the rows. Draw the lines lightly in pencil so they don't show in the final painting. (Alternatively, print this art worksheet onto a sheet of watercolor paper.)
Step four: Paint in the 'diamonds'. You could alternate just two colors (e.g. black and white), alternate a dark color with multiple colors , or use multiple colors just never the same one in adjacent blocks. (See example.)
Before you paint you may wish to test which colors recede or come forward relative to each other by painting a small square of one color in the center of a larger square of another color. (See example.)
