We need to write the complete subject or predicate for each word group. Can you check to see if I am right?
1. many early artists ------ artists
2.designed a certain kind of dish, pot, or vase--designed
3. some early kinds of artwork -- kinds
4. were very complex and beautiful -- were complex
5. created more practical pieces -- created
In 1, 2, 3, and 5 -- you've given the simple subject or predicate, not the complete subjects or predicates.
All of those word groups appear to be complete subjects and predicates.
For 4, the simple predicate is only "were."