Create Abstract Art with Sound in Just 5 Steps

Did you ever wonder what music looks like? 

Critically analyze sound and bring it to life through art. Students will listen, think, draw and express while creating abstract art with Apple Pencil and iPad.

5 Simple Steps:

You will listen to a song and define it in terms of line, shape, color and texture. Not images of “things” but elements of art and mark making.

1. Open Keynote and launch your drawing tools.
2. Listen to the same song 4 times. First time consider and add color. Is is warm or cool? Calm or zesty? 
3. Second time, draw shapes. More organic and flowing or sharp geometric?
4. Third, add texture with image fill or drawing.
5. Finish it off with line. Consider the tool, thickness and opacity. Export as an image

Success is defined by focused listening and visually expressing your thoughts. There is no incorrect answer, it is about self expression, and individual interpretation. This is an excellent way to explore drawing tools, build creative confidence while connecting to SEL. 

Inspiration:

In the past 100 years music has played a important role in the stylistic development of visual art. It has created inspiration for those artists wishing to produce a pure art form generally though abstraction. By listening to music and emulating it in their work, artists have discovered innovative approaches to art-making approach.

Although many artists have been inspired by music some are thought to have synesthesia. Wassily Kandinsky was thought to be one as well as contemporary artist Melissa McCracken. Synesthesia is a neurological condition in which the stimulation of a sense (like touch or hearing) leads to the triggering of another sense (like sight or taste).

Extend the learning:

• Create your own #1564 song found in Everyone Can Create Music and use that as your starting point.
• Have your drawing come to life. Add animation to your shapes and drawing to match the music or use line draw to watch it build.
• This same activity could be created on apps such a Procreate or Sketches as an introduction to the tool sets. In Procreate you could also use layers and blend modes. This activity ignites student creativity and allows for personal expression.

Post examples. Share how you are using this in your classroom. I wonder if there are commonalities in matching moods and marks. Reach out with questions or ideas and have fun creating!