2-D & 3-D Art Projects for Students

This is a two-dimensional image of a three-dimensional object.

There are hundreds of possible 2-D and 3-D projects that you can do with students to teach them important art skills. You can improve your students' understanding and memory by relating the projects to what they are learning in the classroom, although it is not essential to do so. All you will really need for most projects are scissors, pencils, glue and paper.

Shadows and Light

Shadowing is a major artistic skill and it is what gives an image a sense of "weight," of occupying space. Teach your students about the effects of light on a three-dimensional object using a 2-D tool: paper. Have the students draw a "round" -- 3-D -- object such as a ball or vase (if you wish to teach them how to draw reflections as well) or a stuffed animal or person. Show them how light approaches in a straight line and then bends around an object, while what is directly "behind" the object in the image will be in the deepest shadows.

Create a Mobile

Have your students create origami art. Punch a small hole in each piece of folded paper art and hang them each on a string attached to a ring or stick. Hang the entire mobile from the ceiling. Lead the students in a discussion about the nature of two dimensions versus three dimensions and how it is possible for a 2-D object -- paper -- to become a 3-D object -- he origami figure and the mobile.

Make a Sculpture

Use flat pieces of cardboard and bend them to create a sculpture. You can also use ready-made boxes although it is best if you can teach your students to create patterns that can be bent into three-dimensional figures like boxes. Try drawing an image of the results on one of the panels to add more 2-D to the results.

Create an Installation

Students are rarely taught about concept art or installations in school, but they can be particularly entertaining and useful when trying to communicate ideas. Have the students decide on a concept and figure out a way to communicate it. Installations are essentially interactive 3-D sculptures that occupy a space. This means an entire room can be used or simply a small corner depending on the idea.