5 Art Activities Inspired by Alma Thomas

Discovering the Vibrant World of Alma Thomas through Art Activities

Alma Thomas, an American artist and educator, is renowned for her dynamic and vibrant abstract paintings that reflect her fascination with color, space, and the natural world. Born in 1891 in Columbus, Georgia, Thomas’s artistic journey was marked by her unique blend of Expressionism and Abstract Expressionism, characterized by bold, geometric forms and a kaleidoscope of colors. This blog post delves into the world of Alma Thomas, exploring five art activities inspired by her remarkable style.

Activity 1: Exploring Color Theory with Alma Thomas's Palette

Alma Thomas’s artwork is a masterclass in color theory, showcasing a deep understanding of how colors interact and affect each other. To delve into her color palette, start by gathering a variety of paints, colored pencils, or markers in different hues. Create a color wheel and identify primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.

• Primary Colors: Red, Blue, Yellow
• Secondary Colors: Orange (Red + Yellow), Green (Blue + Yellow), Purple (Blue + Red)
• Tertiary Colors: Yellow-Green, Blue-Green, Red-Orange, Red-Violet, Yellow-Orange, Blue-Violet

Using Alma Thomas’s palette as inspiration, create a color wheel that reflects her style. Consider adding earthy tones, such as browns and tans, and bold, bright colors, like reds and blues. Experiment with mixing colors to create unique shades and tints.

🎨 Note: Encourage experimentation and creativity when exploring color theory. Remind participants that color theory is a foundation, but art is subjective and open to interpretation.

Activity 2: Creating Geometric Forms with Paint and Paper

Alma Thomas’s artwork often features geometric forms, such as circles, triangles, and squares. To recreate these shapes, gather a variety of paints, paintbrushes, and paper. Start by creating a composition using basic shapes, experimenting with different sizes, colors, and arrangements.

• Tips and Variations:
  • Use stencils or templates to create crisp, clean shapes.
  • Experiment with layering shapes to create depth and dimension.
  • Incorporate natural materials, such as leaves or flowers, to add texture and interest.

By exploring geometric forms, participants can develop their understanding of composition, spatial relationships, and visual balance.

Activity 3: Nature-Inspired Abstracts with Mixed Media

Alma Thomas’s artwork often reflects her fascination with the natural world. To create nature-inspired abstracts, gather a variety of materials, such as:

• Paints (acrylic or watercolor)
• Colored pencils or markers
• Paper (watercolor or mixed media)
• Natural materials (leaves, twigs, flowers)

Using these materials, create an abstract composition inspired by nature. Consider the colors, textures, and forms found in the natural world.

• Tips and Variations:
  • Use natural materials to create unique textures and patterns.
  • Experiment with layering materials to create depth and dimension.
  • Incorporate found objects, such as rocks or shells, to add interest and complexity.

By exploring nature-inspired abstracts, participants can develop their understanding of color, texture, and composition.

Activity 4: Exploring Space and Negative Space with Alma Thomas

Alma Thomas’s artwork often explores the relationship between space and negative space. To delve into this concept, start by creating a composition using basic shapes, such as circles, triangles, and squares.

• Tips and Variations:
  • Use stencils or templates to create crisp, clean shapes.
  • Experiment with layering shapes to create depth and dimension.
  • Incorporate natural materials, such as leaves or flowers, to add texture and interest.

Consider the negative space around and between shapes, using it to create a sense of balance and harmony.

🖌️ Note: Encourage participants to experiment with different shapes, sizes, and arrangements to develop their understanding of space and negative space.

Activity 5: Collaborative Mural with Geometric Forms and Color

To conclude this exploration of Alma Thomas’s artwork, create a collaborative mural using geometric forms and color. Gather a variety of materials, such as paints, colored pencils, or markers, and a large piece of paper or canvas.

• Tips and Variations:
  • Divide the paper or canvas into sections, assigning each participant a specific area to work on.
  • Encourage collaboration and experimentation, allowing participants to share ideas and inspiration.
  • Consider adding a unifying theme or concept, such as nature or architecture, to tie the mural together.

By working together to create a collaborative mural, participants can develop their understanding of color, composition, and spatial relationships.

To summarize the key points of this blog post, we’ve explored five art activities inspired by Alma Thomas’s vibrant and dynamic style. By delving into color theory, geometric forms, nature-inspired abstracts, space and negative space, and collaborative murals, participants can develop their understanding of art and creativity.