Art Merit Badge

Overview   Requirements   Hints   Terminology   Resources

Art Merit Badge Info

What is Art? That is the question, at least for requirement #1 of this merit badge, it is. This entire merit badge can be done in a morning or an afternoon, except for visiting an art facility - if a virtual tour is allowed by the counselor, that could be fulfulled, too.

This is one of the easiest merit badges available with just a little terminology, drawing a handful of pictures, and that visit being all there is to it. That might be why about 21,000 scouts earn it every year, placing it at the 25th most popular spot.

Hints for Art Merit Badge

• Use the worksheet to write down the terminology and definitions so they can be easily remembered when discussing them.
• For requirement #4, render the same subject four different ways, not four different subjects. The goal is to notice how different and similar the subject looks.
• Designing a logo for requirement #5 is probably the easiest, but get approval before putting it on equipment.
• Simplest way to prepare for the first three requirements is to read the merit badge pamphlet, but the links below are another option.

Terminology for Art Merit Badge

• Forms of art include architecture, drawing, fashion design, industrial design, painting, pottery, printmaking, sculpting, and weaving.
• Elements of Art:
  • Line - a continuous mark creating a design.
  • Value - lightness and darkness with color and saturation
  • Shape - outline or surface of a form, either geometric or freeform.
  • Form - solid 3-d shape which could be cone, cube, cylinder, prism, pyramid, or sphere.
  • Space - positive space is the forms in the art while negative space is the empty area between them. These two types of space work together to create an image.
  • Color - part of the visible spectrum reflected from an object.
  • Texture - what a surface feels like, or the surface of an object in art appears to feel like.
• Principles of Design:
  • Balance is the feeling of visual symmetry of a piece of art.
  • Emphasis puts more focus on one part of an art piece to influence the viewer's experience.
  • Proportion is the relative sizing of the various forms comprising a piece to appear realistic or exaggerated.
  • Rhythm is the repeating of a design element to lead the observer's focus.
  • Unity is the successful use of design principles to arrange all the elements into a complete work of art.
  • Variety uses different elements in a piece to provide contrast and make it more interesting.

Resources for Art Merit Badge
Yes, Art is Important.
Artists communicate using the elements of art.
When creating art, incorporating the principles of design help make an impressive piece.
Take a look at some of the many mediums and techniques for creating great art.
Research what Art Careers are available in the real world.
National Portfolio Day
NASAD

Some related merit badges include: Animation, Graphic Arts, Moviemaking, Painting, Photography, Pottery, and Sculpture. If you found the Art merit badge interesting, you might try them.