Colours, Patterns and Crafts: Class 3 Study Guide
Colours and patterns are all around us, in rangoli, clothes and paintings.
There are three primary colours: red, yellow and blue. All other colours can be made by mixing them. Mixing two primary colours gives a secondary colour.
A pattern is a design that repeats, like the stripes on a sari border or the tiles on a floor.
Mixing colours
| Mix | Result |
|---|---|
| Red + yellow | Orange |
| Yellow + blue | Green |
| Blue + red | Purple |
| Any colour + white | A lighter shade |
| Any colour + black | A darker shade |
Making patterns
Patterns can repeat shapes (circle, square, circle, square), colours (red, blue, red, blue) or both. A pattern has a unit, the part that repeats. Rangoli, mehndi, block printing and weaving all use patterns, often with flowers, leaves, peacocks and lines. A symmetrical design looks the same on both sides of a middle line.
Pick a simple shape or motif.
Draw the unit again and again.
Use colours in a regular order.
Crafts of India
Different regions have their own art and craft. Madhubani paintings come from Bihar, Warli paintings from Maharashtra, block printing from Rajasthan and pottery from many villages. Craft workers hand down their skills. We should respect their work and buy hand-made things when we can.
Worked examples and common mistakes
Example: What colour do you get by mixing blue and yellow? Green. Example: Continue the pattern: circle, square, square, circle, square, square, ... The next shape is a circle. Common mistakes: mixing too many colours at once, which makes mud, and not keeping the pattern unit the same size.
Check your understanding: model answers
1. Orange. 2. Madhubani or Warli. 3. A design that repeats.
✨ Key Takeaways
- Red, yellow and blue are the primary colours.
- Mixing two of them makes a secondary colour.
- A pattern repeats a unit.
- Crafts are part of our heritage.
💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection
- What do you get by mixing red and yellow?
- Name one folk art of India.
- What is a pattern?