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As you begin to teach your students, know in advance where you want them to be at the end of the school year. Strive to create a program that will allow students to learn the fundamentals and practice good mechanics. Have your students do work they would typically do in a flower shop. This includes sweeping and organizing, caring for plants, processing flowers and making specialty designs. Work toward getting all students to earn TSFA's Level 1 certification, and prepare them to compete in contests across the state. When a student leaves your program, they should be a competent apprentice who can easily step into an entry-level floral position and successfully perform the duties required of that position.
Identify design elements and principles.
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Color Terminology The following terms and definitions present the background necessary before color harmony can be clearly understood and used to the best advantage in floral design. Color Harmony — The various usable or pleasing combinations of color. Hue — Means color, any color. Chroma — The purity of a color, determined by its degree of freedom from white, gray or black. Value — The term used to designate the lightness or darkness of a hue. For example, the values of red range from pink to maroon. Tint — Any color to which white has been added (red plus white becomes pink). Shade — A color to which black has been added (red plus black is maroon). Tone — Any color to which gray has been added. Color Harmony All florists work with color harmonies every day. It is necessary to know the meanings of basic color combinations. Monochromatic Color — Different values of one hue (pink, red, maroon). Color gradations must be used carefully with the strongest value placed at the focal point. Interesting textures play a vital role in this harmony to prevent monotony. Analogous Color — Achieved through the use of three or more hues in sequence on the color wheel, with only one being a primary color, like yellow. Analogous colors produce special moods and seasonal effects. Complimentary Color — A combination of hues in the very strongest contrast; opposites on the color wheel (red and green, orange and blue, yellow and violet). This combination gives dramatic emphasis to any decoration or display. Triad — Any three colors that are equally spaced on the color wheel (red-blue-yellow or orange-green violet). This color harmony always creates great interest. |
This could very well be the most important takeaway. It is the foundation of all you will do in your class. Principles are the guiding constants that allow floral designs to be pleasing to the eye. Elements are how the principles are achieved.
To learn these concepts, students must see them physically and mentally. It is important to show students the principles and elements in things other than floral design. Because these principles and elements are the same across all types of art, it may be a good idea to show students the principles and elements in well known paintings and sculptures, magazine ads, clothing, etc. Once they have an understanding of these concepts, they can apply the principles and elements to floral design. Color is an exceedingly important element of design and should be treated almost separately.
Flowers and supplies needed:
Instructions:
Illustrate ideas for floral designs from direct observation, experiences
It has often been said that art imitates life and further more nature. This can be seen in the water lilies of Monet, the haystacks or Van Gough or even the cubism of Picasso. Floral design as an art can also be inspired art, life experiences, imagination and even the direct observation of life. This is the point in floral design instruction where a student's creativity comes into play. Now that they know the basic mechanics, principles and elements of designs and shapes of floral arrangements they can begin. A trip to a museum may not be in a classroom budget but a stack of art books from the library can give students inspiration to create new designs. Simple line drawing techniques can allow them to express their imaginations.
Simple line drawings consisting of circles and flowing lines can turn into acceptable drawings
Even students with little drawing ability can use a ruler and stencil/templates to express design drawings. This may be a daunting task at first but they will become better with time and practice.