Rainbowic Circle: Entropy to Art

Hello, I am Jiexi(Jesse), a rising junior in high school. In this instructable, you will learn how to create art using everyday objects. This is a fun and relaxing project for anyone, regardless of age.

Estimated Time: 30 Minutes - 1 Hour

Colorful objects around the house(**Tips are mentioned later)

A large working space

It is important to choose an adequately sized working space for any project. For this project, choose a working space that is preferably large, open, and flat. Some recommendations are coffee or kitchen tables, the bed, or on the floor.

The background is an equally as important consideration as the working space. It is best to choose bland and consistent colors to stop the interference of the background from blending in with the artwork and to make the artwork 'pop.' Thus, entirely black or white backgrounds are best for displaying the artwork. However, any background can work for this project.

The nature of this project is rather simple but can be as complex as you make it. 

There are two main components to this project: to collect and to construct. You can do this in a variety of different methods.

Some methods are…

• Construct while collecting
• Collect everything and then construct

You can also be color-conscious and either construct all colors or focus on one by one.

In general, any method works, and you should choose whatever works best for you. I chose collecting and constructing as I go, focusing on building a single color at a time.

For this project, I did not plan to create an artwork permanently but rather memorialize it through a photo. This decision removed a lot of limitations and restrictions, allowing me to use practically any object. However, if you want to create a permanent artwork, you should consider what objects you want to attach, a proper background, and the method of attaching the objects.

It is also important to consider how you arrange the objects. As the name of this instructable implies('entropy' or randomness), the objects are arranged randomly. Randomness as a singularity can be 'messy' or 'unnatural.' But, when looking at the border scale, randomness can create an unifying and unique image. However, creating a circle that is symmetric or has patterns is also a viable option that can create amazing artwork.

A reference is helpful to make sure you are properly constructing the right colors and patterns of a rainbow.

For this 'rainbowic' circle, we are creating a pattern shown in image 1. However, you can also arrange your circle in any pattern. Some examples of other patterns are included in images 2-3

Image 1

https://likeplaysk.shop/product_details/54121013.html

Image 2

https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/simple-7-color-rainbow-element-on-white-vector-22598028

Image 3

https://en.ac-illust.com/clip-art/22657523/rainbow-material-colorful-round-circle-sphere-rainbow

Construction

Due to the rarity of colors such as indigo, it is suggested to completely skip the color and mix it with the close color of blue or purple.

If you focus on individual colors, it is best not to spend too much time on one color and space the time evenly to ensure equal distribution of objects.

If you have an abundance of objects for one color, however tempting it might be, it is best not to use all of it. Overusing one color can create an unbalanced circle and, therefore, possibly an awkward result. In this case, less is more.

Randomness

To improve ‘randomness’ for similar objects in different colors, never arrange anything in the same orientation or place the objects close to each other, especially similar objects in different or same colors. Rotating objects and leaving other objects in between similar objects allows for a variety of "new versions" of an object.

Object Collection

Many people might have trouble thinking of colorful objects around the house, but, in reality, your house is a lot more colorful than you think. Color is all around us, and once you start thinking about color, objects begin popping up.

Here are some general areas to think about to help you find objects:

Flowers

• Flowers come in all colors and can be a great addition to your color circle, adding not only color but also a natural feel.

Fruit and Vegetables

• Fruit and vegetables might not be the first thing you think of when adding colors, but many fruits and vegetables can be colorful and incorporated into a large majority of your color circle.

Toys and Legos

• A child’s toy is often colorful, and Legos especially have many vibrant colors.

Color pencils, Markers, and Crayons

• Color pencils, markers, and crayons are naturally colorful and, due to their size, can be great for filling in blank space

Candy

• Many flavored candies are often colored and, due to their size, are a great filler for blank space.

Clothing

• Clothing is often colored, and shirts and pants are easy to make into any shape.

Pool Balls

• Pool balls are naturally colored and are a nice size for this project.

Tips for Objects:

Some common fruits and vegetables for red include Red Apples, Cherries, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Plums, Peppers, and Red Bell Peppers.

Common objects for red are Chips(Doritos and Cheetos), Ketchup, and Sodas such as Coca-Cola.

Tips for Objects:

Some common fruits and vegetables for orange include Oranges, Mangos, Pumpkins, Carrots, and Orange Bell Peppers.

Common objects for orange are Chips(Cheetos), Sodas such as Fanta, Honey, and Basketball. **A basketball is a rather large object and may take up the majority of the color, making it look awkward.

Tips for Objects:

Some common fruits and vegetables for yellow include Bananas, Lemons, Pineapples, Corn, Pears, and Yellow Bell Peppers

Common objects for yellow are Rubber Ducks and chips (Classic Lays).

Tips for Objects:

Some common fruits and vegetables for green include Lettuce, Green Apples, Watermelons, Peas, Cucumbers, Avocadoes, and Green Bell Peppers.

Many types of Green Plants are also great additions.

Common objects for green are Tennis balls and Sodas such as Sprite.

Tips for Objects:

The color blue is quite rare in nature and it is suggested to go for objects rather than natural objects. However, if available, some common fruits for blue include Grapes and Blueberries.

Common objects for blue are Chips(Doritos), Sodas such as Pepsi, and Jeans

Tips for Objects:

Similar to blue, indigo and violet are rather rare colors in nature and it is suggested to go for objects rather than natural objects. However, if available, some common fruits and vegetables for indigo and violet include Grapes, Eggplants, and Onions.

This is a really fun project to do in 30 minutes to an hour, and you can end up with amazing results. I had a great time looking around my house for objects and discovering many things I did not know I had. From the difficulty of finding many of these items, this project has made me realize how really 'bland' my room is and has made me conscious of my color choices. I hope you had as much fun as I had while creating this rainbow circle!