Barbara Thompson
Southeast Elementary School
Kindergarten – 6th Grade Art
Working in the Style of Henri Matisse
Fauvism, Illustrations, & Cut outs
Objectives:
The students will be able to:
1. Recognize the distinctive art of Henri Matisse in the presentation and discussion of
his artwork.
2. Use the art elements of line, shape and color and the principle of composition in the
creation of their own artworks:
 Contour drawings in the style of Matisse’s book illustrations
 Colorful drawings and paintings in the style of Fauvism
 Geometric and organic shape collages reminiscent of Matisse’s cut outs
3. Identify how the arts contribute to communication
Activity:
Students will observe the artwork of Henri Matisse, an important 20th century French
artist. They will discuss his use of intense color, flowing lines and expressive shapes in his paintings,
illustrations and cut outs. They will receive biography sheets. Students will discuss how Matisse’s art
was revolutionary in his time and how they can relate to creating artworks in the style of Matisse. Over
the course of four weeks students will create artworks representing different phases of Matisse’s art.
They will recognize the elements of art in his work and share these ideas in their own artworks. They will
talk about expressing their feelings in their work as well as how to use the materials to create their own
style. Students will work with crayon, color pencils, color paper, color paint samples, watercolor, color
tissue paper and the computer paint program as they experiment in the art making process.
Illinois State Standards:
25.A.1d Visual Arts: Identify the elements of line, shape, space, color
and texture; the principles of repetition and pattern; and the expressive
qualities of mood, emotion and pictorial representation.
26.A.1e Identify media and tools and how to use them in a safe and
responsible manner when painting, drawing and constructing.
27.A.1a Identify the distinctive role of artists and audiences.
Materials needed:
Art paper, crayons, watercolor paints, permanent markers, scissors, glue sticks, color construction
paper, paint samples, color tissue paper, acetate, color wheels and biography handouts.
Project 1.
Fauvism Create an intensely colorful drawing describing what makes you happy.
Students will look at paintings of Mme. Matisse and observe how the artist used bold,
vivid color. They will identify primary, secondary and complementary colors using a
color wheel. Student artists will select a subject matter for their colorful expressive
crayon drawing describing happiness. Another artwork using watercolor can be
executed in the Fauvist style.
Project 2.
Contour Line Portrait Students will observe Matisse’s flowing line illustrations and
create linear portraits using black marker on white paper. (They may also choose white
crayon on black paper.) Artists will be attentive to the contour lines of a face.
Project 3.
Cut outs Students will identify geometric and organic shapes while sharing ideas in a
color cut out. A review of the color wheel and color properties will also be presented.
Students will look at Matisse’s Vegetables cut out. Students will experiment with color
paper choices: color construction paper, color paint samples, and color tissue paper on
acetate. They will recognize color properties as they see how the colors work together.
Students will decide how to arrange their cut color shapes in a balanced composition.
Project 4.
Extension activity: Creating shapes in the computer Paint Program As students
complete their cut outs, they can work at the classroom computer Paint program,
selecting tools to draw or paint shapes, fill shapes with color and move them to create a
composition of geometric or organic shapes.
Project 5.
Extension activity: Math Masterpiece (2 sheets) Students will review shapes and lines
in a project that pairs a masterpiece with mathematical concepts. Students will receive
background information on one of Matisse’s last pictures, The Sorrows of the King. A
linear drawing of the cut out will be printed in pieces to be arranged in a puzzle. Each
puzzle piece answers the concept questioned in a grid background paper. Students will
color The Sorrows of the King with color pencil or crayon once all the pieces are
arranged and glued in place.
The Art of Henri Matisse was also presented to students in a PTA sponsored parent volunteer program.
The presentation included books, posters and songs that illustrated the life and art of a famous artist.
Student Evaluation
Working in the Style of Henri Matisse
1. Circle the elements of art you used in your artwork.
Line, shape, color, texture, value, space
2. What is your theme or topic? __________________________
3. Do you feel your artwork is expressing a statement about you? Explain.
_______________________________________________________________________
4. What do you like or not like about Matisse’s art? __________________________________
Bibliography
Hendler, Muncie. Color Your Own Modern Art Masterpieces. Mineola, New York: Dover Publications,
1996.
Neret, Gilles. Henri Matisse. Koln: Taschen, 2006.
Percy, Greg. From Matisse to You. Greg Percy, 2002.
Russell, John. The World of Matisse. New York: Time-Life Books, 1969.
Schymkiw, Gunter. Math Masterpieces. Rowley, MA: World Teachers Press, 2006.
Silver, Rhonda Graff. Exploring Art Masterpieces with Young Learners. New York : Scholastic, Inc., 1996.