Exploring the Art of Henri Matisse: Drawing with Scissors

Exploring the Art of Henri Matisse: Drawing with Scissors

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to understand the technique of 'Drawing with scissors' and create your own cut-out artwork inspired by Henri Matisse.

What do you already know about Henri Matisse and his 'Drawing with scissors' works?

Henri Matisse

Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was a renowned French artist known for his innovative use of color and shape. He is famous for his 'Drawing with scissors' technique.

Drawing with Scissors

Matisse developed 'Drawing with scissors' during the last decade of his life when he was unable to paint due to health issues. He used cut-out shapes to create vibrant compositions.

Inspiration from Nature

Matisse often drew inspiration from nature, especially plants, animals, and the human figure. His cut-out artworks reflect organic shapes and fluid lines.

Exploring Shapes

Matisse used a variety of shapes in his cut-outs, such as leaves, flowers, and simple geometric forms. Experiment with different shapes to create your own compositions.

Color and Contrast

Color played a significant role in Matisse's cut-outs. He used vibrant hues and experimented with color combinations to create visual impact and contrast.

Collage Technique

Matisse used the collage technique to assemble his cut-outs onto larger surfaces, such as paper or canvas. Experiment with arranging and gluing your cut-outs.

Creating Your Own Cut-Out Artwork

Now it's time to create your own cut-out artwork inspired by Matisse. Use the techniques we discussed to design a composition that reflects your style and interests.

Sharing and Reflection

Share your cut-out artwork with the class and explain the inspiration behind your composition. Reflect on the process and what you've learned about Matisse's technique.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.