School-aged kids will learn how to apply L shaped composition to their artwork in this fun project. We’ve included a free printable to make this lesson easy for home or classroom use.
Composition
“Composition is the placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a work of art.”
– Kiddle –
In today’s project, kids will create art which focuses along one side, and across either the top or bottom of the page. This creates and L-shaped composition, easily demonstrating one of the many composition styles used by artists throughout the years.
Related: Learn to add perspective to your drawings with this interactive project.
Supplies Needed to Make This L Composition Art Project
- Free Printable Gnomes (Download Below) – Printed on Cardstock
- Blank Cardstock
- Scissors
- Stick Glue
- Pencil
- Permanent Marker
- Coloring Medium of Choice – Crayons, Colored Pencils, Markers, etc.
Download the Gnome Printable Here
This free printable jumpstarts kids’ creativity by giving them a main character for the focal point of their artwork. Kids simply choose a gnome and create a scene around it.
Directions to Make L Composition Art
Step 1
Holding the paper horizontally, fold it into thirds. To easily create three sections, first fold the right side of the page over until the flap you’ve created and the remaining portion of the page are equally sized. Crease and unfold.
Step 2
Next, fold the left side of the page over to the crease line created in step 1. Crease and Unfold. Paper should be now be divided into 3 even sections.
Step 3
Rotate paper to a vertical position and fold into three sections. Again, fold over the right side of the page until the flap you’ve created and the remaining portion of the page are equally sized. Crease and unfold.
Step 4
Then, fold the left side of the page over to the crease line created in step 3. Crease and Unfold. Paper should be now be divided into 9 even sections.
Step 5
Kids then choose a gnome from the template to use in their project. Color and cut.
Step 6
Place the gnome along one of the 4 corners of the inner rectangle of the folded page. Sketch a design that stays within an L shape connected to the corner where the gnome is placed.
Image example shows gnome in lower left corner. To create an L-shaped composition, the sketch must remain along the left and bottom portions of the page. Placing a gnome in the upper right corner would place the sketch along the top of the page and down the right side. Note: The four sections that are not connected to L-shape composition need to remain relatively plain.
Step 7
Then, use a permanent marker to finalize sketch. Erase any unwanted pencil lines.
Step 8
Next, kids crayons, colored pencils, or markers to add color to their drawing.
Step 9
Finally, glue gnome onto the drawing and add any finishing details.
Finished L COmposition Art Project
I love how easy these cute little gnome creations are to make! Since these projects are made on paper, they can easily be framed, clipped, or displayed with your seasonal decorations.
Our Experience Making this L Composition Art Project
This project was a lot of fun and an easy introductory lesson to L composition. I love these little gnome graphics and the variety of scenes kids create around them. It can feel odd to leave a lot of blank space within a project, but I really like to encourage kids to do so to better showcase the L Shape.
Prep Time
5 minutes
Active Time
20 minutes
Total Time
25 minutes
Difficulty
Medium
Estimated Cost
$1
Materials
- Free Printable Gnomes (Download Below) – Printed on Cardstock
- Blank Cardstock
Tools
- Scissors
- Stick Glue
- Pencil
- Permanent Marker
- Coloring Medium of Choice – Crayons, Colored Pencils, Markers, etc.
Instructions
- Holding the paper horizontally, fold it into thirds. To easily create three sections, first fold the right side of the page over until the flap you’ve created and the remaining portion of the page are equally sized. Crease and unfold.
- Fold the left side of the page over to the crease line created in step 1. Crease and Unfold. Paper should be now be divided into 3 even sections.
- Rotate paper to a vertical position and fold into three sections. Again, fold over the right side of the page until the flap you’ve created and the remaining portion of the page are equally sized. Crease and unfold.
- Fold the left side of the page over to the crease line created in step 3. Crease and Unfold. Paper should be now be divided into 9 even sections.
- Choose a gnome from the template to use in the project. Color and cut.
- Place the gnome along one of the 4 corners of the inner rectangle of the folded page. Sketch a design that stays within an L shape connected to the corner where the gnome is placed. For example, if gnome is placed in the lower left corner, the sketch must remain along the left and bottom portions of the page to create an L composition. Placing a gnome in the upper right corner would place the sketch along the top of the page and down the right side. Note: The four sections that are not connected to L-shape composition need to remain relatively plain.
- Use a permanent marker to finalize sketch. Erase any unwanted pencil lines.
- Use crayons, colored pencils, or markers to add color to the drawing.
- Glue gnome onto the drawing and add any finishing details.
Notes
L Composition Art Variations
- Skip the printable and have kids fully create their own designs.
- Use a ruler and faint guidelines to avoid making creases in paper.
- Complete project using watercolor or acrylic paints.
L COmposition Art Variations
- Skip the printable and have kids fully create their own designs.
- Use a ruler and faint guidelines to avoid making creases in paper.
- Complete project using watercolor or acrylic paints.
Other Fun Art Projects from Kids Activities Blog
Did your kids enjoy applying an L shaped composition to their artwork? What scene did they create for their gnome?
