Matisse Inspired Art Activity: Three-Dimensional Still Life
This Matisse inspired art activity is part of a unit exploring modern artists like Matisse, Louise Bourgeois, Calder, and Miró. Kids will create three-dimensional still lifes using simple materials like paint and papier-mâché. This project focuses on bold colors and texture, inspired by Matisse’s Fauvist style. It’s a hands-on way to explore how modern artists broke from tradition and used new techniques to express their ideas. Perfect for classrooms or at home, this activity helps kids understand composition and material experimentation.
Read also:
- Play Like a Surrealist: 13 Surrealist Games and Techniques to Unleash Kids Creativity
- 21 Children’s Books about Famous Artists Kids Will Love
About Matisse’s Still Lifes
Henri Matisse (1869–1954) created some of his most recognizable still lifes during the Fauvist period (1905–1908). Fauvism, one of the first avant-garde movements of the 20th century, was characterized by bold, unnatural colors and loose, expressive brushstrokes. For Matisse, this period marked a turning point in how he used color—not as a tool for realistic representation, but as an emotional and structural element of his art.
Matisse’s still lifes often feature everyday objects—vases, flowers, fruit, and decorative fabrics—but he transformed them through vibrant color planes and simplified forms. Instead of using shading or perspective to create depth, Matisse flattened the picture plane, giving his compositions a striking, two-dimensional feel. These works often include unpainted white spaces, allowing the colors to “breathe” and making the bright hues even more vivid.
Patterns played a crucial role in his still lifes, with fabrics and tabletops adorned in intricate motifs that added energy and movement to the scene. His paintings also maintained a sense of playfulness, with loose, almost child-like lines, inviting viewers to focus on the joy of the composition rather than its realism.
External Resources:
- Fauvism, The MET
- Henri Matisse, The MET
Extensions:
1. Read The Iridescence of Birds
Share The Iridescence of Birds: A Book About Henri Matisse by Patricia MacLachlan with your students. This beautifully illustrated story captures the early inspirations behind Matisse’s vibrant art, from the colors of his childhood home to his love of pattern and light.
2. Studio Setup or Copy a Matisse Artwork
You can approach this activity in two ways:
- Copy a Matisse Artwork: Provide printouts of Matisse’s still lifes, like Vase of Flowers or Still Life with Magnolia, and let students replicate their favorite. This gives them insight into Matisse’s techniques and composition choices.
- Create a Real-Life Still Life: For older students, set up a studio scene inspired by Matisse. Use colorful fabrics, a vase of flowers, and other simple objects to create a still life. Encourage students to observe and sketch from life, focusing on bold colors and simplified shapes.
How to Create Three-Dimensional Still Life Inspired by Henri Matisse
Materials:
- Canvases or linoleum blocks
- Scrap paper (or even toilet/kitchen paper)
- Water containers
- Elmer’s glue
- Acrylic or gouache paint
- Paintbrushes
- Pencil for sketching
Instructions
Step 1: Provide each student with a canvas or sturdy board and a pencil. Have them sketch their still-life composition, focusing on simple, bold shapes rather than intricate details. They can base their sketch on a Matisse printout or a real-life setup.
Step 2: Prepare the papier-mâché paste by adding a generous gulp of Elmer’s glue to a water container and mixing well. Show the students how to tear scrap paper or toilet paper into small pieces.
Step 3: Have the students dip the paper pieces into the paste, squeeze out the excess water, and apply them to their canvas to add texture and three-dimensionality. Encourage them to think creatively about which parts of their composition to highlight, such as raised petals or a textured vase.
Step 4: Once the papier-mâché is applied, let the students begin painting their compositions using acrylic or gouache paints. Encourage them to use vibrant colors inspired by Matisse and to paint over the 3D elements for a cohesive look.
Step 5: Allow the finished paintings to dry thoroughly in a cool and ventilated place.
Did you find this post useful or inspiring? Have you tried it yourself or have suggestions to share? I’d love to see your creations! Share them with #ArtSproutsArt and tag me @art_sprouts_art. Don’t forget to pin this for later and follow me on Pinterest for more creative ideas!
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