4-H visual artists learn to express themselves through their art, whether they are sculpting, painting, drawing, creating collage, learning to screen print, crocheting or knitting, or any other art medium of their choice. Visual arts allow youth to be creative and make an impression while learning more about techniques, art science, and art history.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Express their creativity as they explore and apply elements of design
- Develop their artistic skills and talents through the exploration of their chosen medium
- Discover the joy of art as a leisure time activity
- Practice a variety of art techniques, both new and familiar to them
- Learn how to select appropriate materials for their projects
- Gain an appreciation for art history and art as cultural expression
- Explore the scientific principles that play a role in art through participation in artistic challenges
4-H Visual Creative Arts Curriculum
Available from the Extension office or online.
Elements and Principles of Design Card
Learn the Elements and Principles of Design in Art with this handy, front-and-back card! Printed on protective paper, it will last for projects over and over again. This card has definitions and image examples for six elements of design and nine principles of design. This card is a great supplement to Get Started in Art and the Visual Arts series enhancing the art experience. It is also great complement to all crafting and leatherworks projects. Ideal for each youth to have his/her own card. For all ages and levels. Created by the University of Idaho Extension.
Advanced Visual Arts Level 1 – Sketchbook Crossroad
Developed by the Consortium for National Arts Education Associations, this Visual Arts Curriculum is designed to assist youth in developing artistic skills and talents for a lifetime of use. Focused heavily on the principle of experiential learning, this book features step-by-step guidance through art activities as well as information for art helpers, or teenage and adult artists who can assist youth in their completion of the projects.
Advanced Visual Arts Level 2 – Portfolio Pathways
Developed by the Consortium for National Arts Education Associations, this Visual Arts Curriculum is designed to assist youth in developing artistic skills and talents for a lifetime of use. Focused heavily on the principle of experiential learning, this book features step-by-step guidance through art activities as well as information for art helpers, or teenage and adult artists who can assist youth in their completion of the projects.
Explore the basic elements of visual art through activities on color, line, space, balance, and more, and then complete your own work of art. This project can be repeated as long as new learning takes place and new works of art are completed
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
EM4767E – Creative You, Unit 1 – Expressive Arts
EM4768E – Learning About Line, Unit 2 – Expressive Arts
EM4769E – Expressive Arts – Shape
This manual is about two-dimensional shape–the kind of shape you could draw or paint on a surface.
EM4770E – 4-H Member Manual: Form – Expressive Arts
Using pottery, sand casting, soap sculpture, basketry, paper mache, still life drawings to make various forms.
EM4771E – Color: Expressive Arts
Explains basics of using color in arts and crafts.
EM4772E – Texture, Unit 6, Expressive Arts
Projects/topics include: texture rubbings, petting zoo, papermaking, mosaics, macrame sampler, rya (ree-ah), drawing texture, and a glossary.
For adult helpers and club leaders
Coming soon!
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
Paint a Rainforest – 4-H Activities
In this activity, we will combine science and painting to learn more about rainforests and the world around them. By the end of the activity, you will see how different paint materials and colors can work together to create a unique and beautiful jungle scene. Requires a free Clover account to access lesson plans.
Meade County 4-H Virtual Projects: Abstract Art (video)
Learn about abstract art and paint along with Deana K. Reed, CEA for 4-H Youth Development, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment. Items required to follow along with the project: flat canvas, acrylic paint, container of water, paper plate, paint brushes, craft sticks or cotton swabs, and a protective covering of some sort for your workstation (an old towel or plastic tablecloth will work).
Meade County 4-H Virtual Projects: Paper Quilling (video)
Learn how to create a piece of art with paper quilling with Deana K. Reed, CEA for 4-H Youth Development, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment. Items required to follow along with the project: small frame, paintbrush or sponge brush, paint, colored paper, ruler, pencil, scissors or a paper cutter, glue, tape, drinking straw, and a protective covering of some sort for your workstation (an old towel or plastic tablecloth will work).
Meade County 4-H Virtual Projects: Arm Knitting (video)
Learn arm knitting with Deana K. Reed, CEA for 4-H Youth Development, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment and Amy Aldenderfer, Harden County Extension Agent, Horticulture. To follow along with this project, you will need several large skeins of thick yarn.
Meade County 4-H Virtual Projects: Printmaking (video)
Learn a stamping technique to transfer an image from one medium to another in this video with Deana K. Reed, CEA for 4-H Youth Development, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment. Materials needed for this project: Styrofoam tray, washable makers, a sharpened pencil, ink pen, paper, a sponge, a bowl with water, and clear tape.
Window Clings – Oklahoma 4-H Virtual Clovers (video)
Learn how to create window clings using white glue, liquid dish soap, and food coloring.
Straw Painting – University of Minnesota Extension
In this independent learning guide, youth try abstract art by using a straw to paint!
Mosaics – University of Minnesota Extension
In this 4-H club meeting, youth explore the art form of mosaics by creating one using potential trash items. Good for all ages.
Natural Dyes across the Color Wheel – University of Minnesota Extension
In this independent learning guide, youth work on their own to discover what they can use to dye fabrics that may be right under their noses.
Washington Specific Reference Material
Yakima County Latino Cultural Arts Project
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
Learn to make fourteen different simple knots, bends, and hitches. Remember what they say— practice, practice, practice! Then show what you have learned with a capstone project of your choosing. Directions for sample capstone projects are available at ohio4h.org/knots.
Arcs & Sparks: Sheet Metal Arc Welding
Recommended for use by 4-H members wanting to build, modify, or repair steel-based projects. Learn about safety, selection of equipment and materials, and fabricating techniques with shielded metal arc welding. Basic welding abilities are developed while constructing several useful projects.
From Higher Education Institutions
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
Understanding the Elements of Art (video)
This video will explain all of the parts that are used to create an artwork: line, value, color, space, shape, form, and texture. These things are called the elements of art.
Understanding the Principles of Design (video)
This video will cover the principles of design, which arrange the elements of art into a composition. These principles include balance, movement, rhythm, unity, variety, pattern, scale, proportion, emphasis, and contrast.
Basic Color Theory and Color Harmonies (video)
In this video, you will learn how to mix colors from the primaries to create secondary and tertiary colors, as well as identify color harmonies like warm/cool, monochromatic, analogous, and complementary colors.
Crochet Made Easy by Red Heart Yarns, Coats & Clark (PDF)
Crochet Made Easy is written for beginners, and features easy-to-understand diagrams and step-by-step instructions to illustrate crochet
stitches and techniques.
- Michigan 4-H Global & Cultural Education Activites
Enjoy learning how to make simple crafts from six of the seven continents: Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.
These crafts aim to introduce youth to some simple cultural traditional crafts from around the world.
These activities come from the Michigan State University Extension 4-H Visual Arts Resources webpage.
Europe: Norwegian Gnome – Nisse
Europe: Italian Laurel Wreath Crown
Europe: German Potato Printing
Europe: Polish Wycinanki Traditional Cut-Paper
North America: Mexico Huichol Picture Yarn Art
Arctic Region of North America: Soap Carving
- Kits, Projects, and Activities from National 4-H
National 4-H Visual and Creative Arts Curriculum Collection
National 4-H Hobbies Curriculum Collection
4-H Cake Decorating Digital Download
This manual helps you practice techniques and skills used to create beautiful, edible masterpieces! From piping techniques, to icing and cake recipes, find out how fondant, buttercream, pillars, and boards are involved in the process. Learn the supplies and tools of the trade to help decorate your bakes, and find helpful advice on leveling up both your cakes, and decorating skills.
Exploring Fiber Arts introduces 4-H members to 11 art forms involving fibers and different techniques to create dazzling pieces to use, wear, and display. This guide serves as a starting point for learning several skills, pointing youth to resources, listing potential projects, and teaching the basic history of the craft. Art forms introduced in this guide are basketry, braiding, embroidery, felting, hooking, macramé and tatting, needlepoint, papermaking, quilting, spinning, and weaving. Exploring Fiber Arts is a great resource for anyone looking to get started in the fiber arts!
Learn more about visual communication with this hands-on approach to graphic design. Activities cover color, typography, design basics, symbolism, and branding. Showcase what you learn in a project portfolio.
Creating Stained Glass Projects
Creating Stained Glass Projects introduces 4-H members to the world of stained glass making. This guide serves as a starting point for learning what it takes to create stained glass pieces. This guide points youth to resources, equipment and supplies needed, and the steps to making a stained glass design a reality. Creating Stained Glass Projects is a great resource for anyone looking to get started in the art of stained glass!
4-H Leathercraft Manual Digital Download
The 4-H Leathercraft Manual helps facilitators and youth through the complex and gratifying work of leathercraft projects! This comprehensive manual teaches about the history of using leather as well as how to use it for craft and utility. Learn the ins and outs of selecting the right materials, preparing them, and ultimately crafting them into a work of art.
Scrapbooking: A 4-H Guide to Preserving Memories
This project is designed for youth with limited or no experience in scrapbooking. Requires completion of project activities and creation of a scrapbook. Can be repeated by completing additional activities and a new scrapbook each year.
4-H Scrapbooking Digital Download
Scrapbooking is a fun way to share special moments in your life with family members and friends. This guide helps you get started on a scrapbooking journey! Learn the supplies and basics needed to get started on creating a scrapbook to capture your memories. This is not a curriculum but a getting started guide designed to help get you off on the right foot when starting a scrapbook project.
4-H Crocheting Handbook Digital Download
The 4-H Crocheting Handbook teaches youth how to use a hook and yarn to make amazing creations! This handbook gives youth a foundation for learning how to crochet with guidance on starting basic stitches, as well as learning how to read patterns, finishing projects, and making decorative accessories like pompoms. This guide has written guidance, as well as pictures, and accompanying videos to help youth get started and even how to use their new skill to give back.
4-H Leathercraft Manual Digital Download
The 4-H Leathercraft Manual helps facilitators and youth through the complex and gratifying work of leathercraft projects! This comprehensive manual teaches about the history of using leather as well as how to use it for craft and utility. Learn the ins and outs of selecting the right materials, preparing them, and ultimately crafting them into a work of art.
Curious about quilting but don’t know where to start? Look no further! Just gather quilting tools, select and cut fabrics, stitch pieces together, and before you know it—you’re quilting! Choose from two patterns to make a mini quilt. Grades 3-12.
This project is for 4-H members who have completed You Can Quilt! Now you can practice and refine your quilting skills by using the half-square triangle method on a built-in community service project and on your own lap quilt. Use some advanced tools and gadgets too! Grades 6-12.