This spring, several of my classes created these beautiful paintings inspired by Henri Mastisse. Here is the lesson for you to try.
Can be adapted for any age group
Look at the
paintings of Matisse. He painted the indoor surroundings in his apartment in Paris many times. That included his bowl of goldfish.
Time: 1
to 2 one hour classes
Visuals: Examples of art work by Matisse.
Materials: 12 x
18 white paper with some weight such as drawing or construction
Pencils
Oil pastels (or crayons)
Sharpie markers (for drawing on
foil)
White glue
Scissors
Aluminum foil (4” x 8”)
Line drawings or pictures of fish
Step One: Draw fish on foil, allowing the marker to dry before touching.
Add lots of patterns and colors to your
fish. Cut it out and put it off to the side.
Step Two: Next,
holding the large white paper the tall way, draw the shape of your goldfish
bowl in pencil. Will it be short or tall? Draw it so the sides are close to the edge of
your paper. Use oil pastels and outline the bowl and color the water inside.
Draw details in the background such as a table, patterned wallpaper, a picture
on a wall, or a chair. Use complimentary colors next to each other (blue and
orange, red and green, or purple and yellow).
Step Three: Arrange all the fish inside the bowl
finding the places they fit best. Create a sense of balance that is not
necessarily symmetrical. One way you can
do this is by placing the large fish on one side balanced by two smaller ones on
the opposite side. When you are pleased
with your arrangement pick up each piece
of foil and add dots of glue to the outer edges.
Think of a title for your picture. Write
this on the back of your
artwork.
