Grade 6 Art And Craft Picture Making – Montage:Pictorial Composition Notes

What is a montage?

A montage is a picture made by joining different pieces — for example cut-outs, drawings, fabric and natural items — to make a new, single image. People often call this a collage.

What is pictorial composition?

Pictorial composition is how we arrange things in a picture so it looks interesting and clear. Good composition helps viewers know where to look and tells a story with the picture.

Important parts of composition (simple words)

• Focal point: the main thing you want people to see first (e.g., a big giraffe in a montage of the savannah).
• Balance: items spread so one side does not feel too heavy or empty.
• Foreground / Middle / Background: front, middle and back parts of the picture to show depth.
• Contrast: using light and dark or bright and dull colours to make things stand out.
• Unity: the parts should look like they belong together (use similar colours, styles or shapes).
• Repetition & Pattern: repeating shapes or colours (like kitenge patterns) helps the eye move around the picture.

Simple visual: Montage layers

This shows how items sit in background, midground and foreground. Keep your focal point bright or clear.

Materials you can use (Kenyan ideas)

• Old magazines, newspapers, coloured paper, wrappers
• Fabric scraps (kitenge, sisal), maize husks, tea leaves (dry), small beads
• Cardboard, glue, scissors, crayons or paint
• Natural items: leaves, small dry twigs, dried flowers
• Bottle caps, string, small buttons

Step-by-step: Make a simple Kenyan-themed montage (40–60 minutes)

1. Pick a theme: e.g., "Market Day", "My Village", "Safari", "The Coast".
2. Plan your picture on scrap paper: decide the focal point and where the foreground/midground/background will be.
3. Cut or tear images and materials. Tearing gives soft edges; cutting gives neat edges.
4. Start gluing background pieces first, then the midground, then foreground (layering makes depth).
5. Add small details with crayons, paint or pen (faces, patterns, shadows).
6. Let dry. Trim edges if needed and mount on a stronger cardboard if you want to display it.

Class activity idea (group work)

In groups of 3–4, students make a montage about "A Kenyan Market". Each student finds 3 items to add: one that shows people, one that shows food, and one that shows pattern or cloth. Discuss composition before gluing.

Time: 45–60 min. Outcome: One A3 montage per group + short explanation of composition choices.

Tips for good pictorial composition

• Make one clear focal point — do not put many things of equal importance.
• Use colour contrast to show what is important (bright colours in focal point).
• Leave some empty space so the picture does not feel crowded.
• Use diagonal lines or paths to guide the eye (roads, rivers, rows of trees).
• Repeat shapes or colours to create pattern and unity (like a repeated hat shape or red colour).

Common mistakes to avoid

• Putting everything in the center — this can be boring. Try off-centre placement (rule of thirds).
• Using too many bright colours at once — this confuses the eye.
• Placing important objects all at the same height — vary sizes and positions.

Short checklist for students (marking help)

• Clear theme and focal point? ✓
• Shows depth (foreground, midground, background)? ✓
• Good use of colour and contrast? ✓
• Neat edges and tidy glue work? ✓
• Used local materials / Kenyan ideas? ✓

Safety and cleanup

Use scissors carefully. Work with an adult if you cut hard materials. Put glue lids back and clean hands. Save scraps for the next project.

Questions to think about

1. Why did you choose that object as the focal point?
2. How did the colours help tell your story?
3. Which items show Kenya in your montage? (e.g., food, cloth, animals)

Teacher note: Display montages in class and let each group explain their composition choices in 1–2 minutes.