Op Art (short for optical illusion art) is something I always like to go to when I have to teach online classes or have a cover teacher. There are a myriad of great instructional videos for this on YouTube and it reinforces foundational elements like line, shape, form and value. Plus it’s great for middle school or high school age students and fits easily into a 1 hour lesson. It gives students who aren’t the most gifted artists more confidence too as they can use a ruler and basic shading for most of the activities.
All of the pieces except for the floating cube are student examples (I’ve done the floating cube many times, but couldn’t find a good picture!). The pieces can be enhances by a camera taking a picture at the better angle and are fun to leave around the house as they really play with your perception when seen in passing or via peripheral vision. There’s a real rabbit hole here…once you start looking up Op Art videos on YouTube you’ll find countless great tutorials.
I think Op Art often gets written off as gimmicky, but it teaches us so much about human perception and the use of patterns. Pattern is one of the most overlooked art elements after all. This can also be a catalyst for really cool things like a “tape art club” that makes Op Art murals for the school.
I have no association with these videos other than that I like them! I’m sure you can find plenty on your own too. Square hole: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1yp5YVdjqo Circular hole: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnVv3hO8vE4 Heart-shaped hole: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUkA4ReI0Ho 3D Sphere/Oval: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWfU5BJSoo4
Draw, Paint, Think 