NCERT Class 8 Arts Kriti: Chapter 15 — Elements and Principles of Visual Art and Design
This chapter, "Primary Colours," from the NCERT Class 8 Arts Kriti textbook, delves into the fundamental concepts of colour theory, drawing from ancient Indian texts like the Vishnu-dharmottara Purana. It identifies the five basic colours: white, yellow, red, blue, and black, while also acknowledging the existence of countless other shades. The text emphasizes that by combining these primary colours, utilizing imagination, and employing discretion, artists can create hundreds, even thousands, of new colours. The accompanying 'Note to the Teachers' provides guidance on fostering creativity, encouraging original artwork inspired by daily life, and promoting collaborative learning environments. It suggests various pedagogical approaches, including storytelling, outdoor activities, museum visits, and interactions with local artists, to enrich students' understanding and artistic skills in visual arts, preparing them for future academic and cultural engagement.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 8 |
| Subject | Arts |
| Book | Kriti |
| Chapter | Chapter 15 — Elements and Principles of Visual Art and Design |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 346 |
Learning outcomes
- Identify the five basic colours.
- Understand the concept of creating new colours through mixing.
- Appreciate the role of imagination and discretion in art.
- Develop creative expression in artwork.
- Engage in collaborative and exploratory art activities.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Primary Colours | Basic colours that cannot be created by mixing other colours. |
| Imagination | The faculty or action of forming new ideas, or images or concepts of external objects not present to the senses. |
| Discretion | The quality of behaving or speaking in such a way as to avoid causing offense or revealing private information; good judgment. |
| Visual Arts | Art forms such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and architecture. |
| Pedagogy | The method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic subject or theoretical concept. |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- What are the five basic colours mentioned in the chapter? Answer: The five basic colours are white, yellow, red, blue, and black.
- According to the text, how can one create hundreds or thousands of colours? Answer: By combining the primary colours, using imagination and discretion.
- What is the source of the quote about colours in the chapter? Answer: The quote is from Adhyāya 40, Chitrasutra of the Vishnu-dharmottara Purana.
- What is one suggestion for teachers regarding student artwork? Answer: Encourage students to freely express their original ideas, imaginations, and emotions in their artwork.
Frequently asked questions
What are the five primary colours according to the NCERT Class 8 Arts textbook?
The five primary colours identified are white, yellow, red, blue, and black.
Can we create new colours from the basic ones?
Yes, by combining the primary colours and using imagination and discretion, one can create hundreds or even thousands of new colours.
What ancient text is referenced for colour theory?
The chapter references Adhyāya 40, Chitrasutra of the Vishnu-dharmottara Purana.
What is a key pedagogical approach suggested for teachers?
Teachers are encouraged to use storytelling and everyday examples to introduce concepts and processes in visual arts.
How can teachers encourage original artwork?
Teachers should motivate students to create original artwork inspired by their observations of everyday life and experiences.
What is the importance of collaboration in the art classroom?
Students should be allowed to explore, investigate, experiment, collaborate, and have dialogues in the classroom to enhance their learning experience.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 8 Arts — Kriti — Chapter 15 — Elements and Principles of Visual Art and Design. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.