Franz Marc Color Harmony Animal Art Lesson | Expressionism, Color Theory, Grid Drawing
 
Bring the expressive power of Franz Marc into your classroom with this complete art lesson exploring color harmony, composition, and animal portraiture. Students will study Marc’s symbolic use of color in The Blue Horse I, Blue Horses, and Yellow Cow, then apply these principles to their own grid-based animal artwork.
 
This resource emphasizes observation, intentional color choice, and skillful simplification of form, giving students a strong foundation in drawing, painting, and color theory. By connecting art history with hands-on creation, students experience the thoughtful decision-making that professional artists use.
 
Students will not only practice technical skills like gridding, proportion, and contour drawing, but will also explore color symbolism, mood, and emotional expression in their artwork. The lesson is designed for grades 7–12 and is adaptable for middle or high school classrooms, art clubs, or independent study.
 
What’s Included:
Franz Marc artist background – student-friendly, highlighting his Expressionist philosophy and symbolic use of color
Background pages for three paintings:
The Blue Horse I – including discussion of monochromatic harmony and blue symbolism
Blue Horses – emphasizing analogous harmony and repetition
Yellow Cow – highlighting analogous/warm color harmony and joyful energy
3 enlarged, high-resolution paintings for print or digital display
Color wheel reference page showing monochromatic, analogous, and complementary harmonies
12 black-and-white gridded animal head references (designed to emphasize form and value over color)
2-page step-by-step lesson plan including Objective, Materials list, Skills learned, Student questions, Process and step-by-step instructions, “Why This Lesson Works” section
3 pages of real student examples from grades 6–12
2 student analysis worksheets:
The Blue Horse I – 15 guided questions focusing on observation, color theory, mood, and meaning
Yellow Cow – 15 guided questions focusing on observation, color harmony, and expression
Tips for grid drawing and simplifying shapes
Guidance for choosing a color harmony and planning a palette
Ideas for personalizing artwork using favorite animals or pets
Encouragement for reflection and discussion about color choices and mood
Empty grid for reference and additional use as needed
Why You’ll Love It:
Introduces students to color theory, Expressionism, and art history in an accessible, hands-on way
Guides students through step-by-step structured drawing using grids
Encourages students to make intentional choices about color, shape, and composition
Perfect for grades 6-12, adaptable for multiple skill levels
Includes ready-to-use high-res images for display or discussion
Focuses on thinking like an artist, not just decorating
Supports student analysis and reflection, building critical thinking skills
Provides examples of real student artwork to inspire and guide learning
Helps students understand the relationship between color, mood, and meaning