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Matisse-inspired masterpieces

Arts & Activities, April, 2008 by Debi West

Next in our "eARTh ... it's got ART" yearlong curriculum series is the continent of Europe. This unit could be a full-year curriculum due to the many countries and artists found here, so writing a single unit is a challenge!

Here, I elaborate on the first-grade Matisse Masterpieces, as many steps, many media and a lot of listening and creativity were involved. The final pieces were so fun and the kids loved this lesson from start to finish!

Students were introduced to the styles of several French artists from the 19th and 20th centuries, specifically that of Henri Matisse (1869-1954). We briefly discussed his use of complementary colors, paintings and collage works. As we looked closely at his Goldfish (1911), the students became excited and asked if they could make their own fishbowls. I thought it was a wonderful idea! I am always thrilled when students take ownership of their learning in this way.

Students received a piece of 12" x 18" white drawing paper and were asked to hold it vertically. They then drew a large upside-down "Y" onto the paper, going from top-middle to bottom sides, using a permanent pen. This divided up their paper and was an easy solution to creating perspective. Suddenly their paper became a room with a background!

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They selected a cool and a warm paint palette. They painted one of the sides of their paper, or "walls," using a cool color and the other side using a warm color, giving contrast to their piece. They used a neutral color--gray or brown--to paint the "floor."

The following art class was used to discuss actual fishbowls. These were drawn onto a separate piece of white paper and became whatever shape they wanted, as long as it had a base.

Students were then given several fish information sheets so they could view shapes of "pet" fish. Most of the kids wanted to do goldfish, so they drew at least three, but no more than eight, in their bowls. I really wanted them to pay attention to the detail work in the fish. Because of this and time constraints, they used their permanent pens to draw these fish images.

Students used permanent pens because we did not have enough time to worry about erasing, and I want them believe in their art the first time around. I rarely give them pencils for this reason. I reiterate to them that they are the artist, which means they are the problem solvers; if they make a line they don't like, they have the power to turn that line into something new ... a happy accident is often an artist's best friend!

Once the drawings were completed, students color-layered their fish with Art Stix. When these were completed, they were given a cool color palette of watercolors to do a background wash, thus creating the water effect of the fishbowl.

The next period was exciting because they finally got to put all of the pieces together. Students were first given their painted backgrounds and using complementary colored oil pastels, created designs on their walls, making a soft wallpaper effect, as well as lines on their floor to create a type of textured wooden floor effect. They were next told to cut around the lines of their fishbowls, and then finally they cut out a collaged stool, using shades of brown construction paper.

The lesson's finale was based on Matisse's collages, as the students began to collage the pieces onto the background painting. The stool was glued down to the bottom area of the paper first and the fishbowl gets added last, using 3D-O's to make it appear to be coming off of the paper! The students were excited with the final results and in the last remaining minutes, they wrote a title for their art and even named their new "pet" fish!

earth ... it's got ART

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EUROPE

grade level: first

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

First-grade students will ...

* learn about the art styles of the European master, Henri Matisse.

* learn about mixed-media artworks, as well as painting and collage techniques.

* learn about perspective, color layering and complementary color schemes.

* learn the vocabulary words: cool colors, complementary colors, collage, perspective, art history and watercolor wash.

MATERIALS

* Images of Matisse paintings and collages

* 18"x 12" white drawing paper

* Tempera and watercolor paint, brushes

* 8.5" x 11" brown construction paper

* Scissors

* Pencils, permanent pens, Art Stix, oil pastels

* 8.5" x 11" white drawing paper

* 3D-O's

* Glue

* Water buckets

RHYTHM-ONG

   Henri Matisse, He made a piece ...
   OF ART!
   He painted with some colors,
   Looked like no others ...
   HE WAS SMART!
   He then created collage,
   Seemed like a mirage ...
   ART WAS IN HIS HEART!

   [c] Debi West

EUROPE

The following lesson plans are available at www.artsandactivities.com

Kindergarten: France--Monet's Moments

Grade 2: England--Royal Art with Self-Portraiture

Grade 3: Italy--Mona ME-sa

Matisse-inspired masterpieces

Arts & Activities, April, 2008 by Debi West

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