Matisse Shapes

This is an art project we did in our homeschool co-op classes earlier this year. The idea came from Kinderart.com, under Matisse Cut-outs.

Here is the process:

1. We looked at selected pictures of Matisse and learned a little about his life and work. At the end of Matisse's life when he was weak and could not paint any more, he began to make elaborate paper cut-outs. He was in his 80's when he died, and he felt that the cut-outs were his best work. This is a very interesting story in art and is a good illustrative life lesson.

2. Students were given colored paper and paper scraps, scissors and glue sticks. They were to cut out shapes without drawing them first and lay out a Matisse-like design, or copy a Matisse composition from references provided. Above left is a copy of Matisse's The Horse, The Rider and the Clown and on the right, the cut-out study I made of it with construction paper cut-outs.

3. After cutting out and arranging their compositions, students glued the pieces down. It was hard for them to cut without drawing at first, but soon they all did well.