Resources for Matisse Inspired Collages

Here's one read aloud we found on YouTube of the book, Henri Matisse; Drawing With Scissors

Watch The Video

Setting the Stage

Matisse used many organic shapes in his artwork, like all of the leaf shapes. Even most of his people are very organic and playful shapes. He also used some geometric shapes, like squares and rectangles. Organic shapes are irregular and usually rounded and free-flowing. They are not symmetrical (the same on both sides). Most objects in nature are organically shaped. Think about how trees don’t have the same number of branches on each side. Geometric shapes come from geometry. They are more precise and are usually man made, like squares, triangles, and circles.

Supplies Needed for Insider's Club Members (or if you're a box subscriber & want to purchase additional supplies)

•An Assortment of Colored Paper, 8 1/2 x 11 or 9 x 12. We like Pacon Tru-Ray Construction Paper because it is nice and heavy and doesn’t fade.

•Glue Sticks - regular glue will work too

•Peel & Stick Laminating Sheets or clear Contact Paper

•Colored Cellophane Sheets or Notebook Dividers that are colored but clear (see through) will work

•Scissors

•Pencil

•Optional Book: Henri Matisse; Drawing With Scissors by Keesia Johnson and Jane O’Connor, illustrated by Jessie Hartland. Probably also available at your local library. Here's a read aloud we found on YouTube.

•Organic Shapes Practice Worksheet to Print

•Geometric Shapes Practice Worksheet to Print

*Some of the product links above are Amazon affiliate links. We receive a very very small commission if you purchase through them (which we hope you will if you purchase supplies!) They do NOT affect your price at all!

Taking It Further

Taking It Even Further

•If you're a box subscriber you received a couple of extra laminating film sheets. If you're an Insider's Club Member you probably have contact paper or laminating sheets left over. Try more collages using materials you have around your home that are somewhat transparent such as: colored tissue paper, patterned paper napkins (you'll need to pull the layers apart and use only one layer,) pieces of wrapping paper....see what else you can find. The laminating sheets can be cut smaller and also folded in half to make the sandwich.

•Put on different types of music and draw organic shapes through an entire song using markers or gel pens that glide smoothly over paper. Encourage kids to really feel the music and be spontaneous.
 
•Draw or paint more organic shapes and color them in with bright colors.

•Go for a walk in nature and look for organic and geometric shapes.

•Matisse was good friends with Pablo Picasso. Look up more of Matisse's work together and look up Pablo Picasso's work!

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