Finished colour theory, Matisse Paintings

We learned several different aspects of art this week.
The children worked through the process of drawing a person using the formula of 7 parts. They had to use a ruler to measure 7 even parts, then rule straight lines across the page before working step by step to draw a body. To follow on from this process the children observed other people working in the class and had to draw them. The proportion and angles of the bodies was much improved from the first time we practiced drawing a person.
We finished painting the pattern/colour compositions. The children really had to think about the colours they put together, using the language of complimentary, primary and secondary colours. They became very confident in mixing the colours from the limited pallet of red, yellow and blue paint. The discuss and group decision making about the colours become more purposeful as the compositions took shape.
Check out the results..

Initial Lesson- study Henri Matisse and telling stories through pictures

To begin with I got the children to draw things they considered patterns. This was an interesting exercise as several children have ‘leaked’ that knowledge over the holidays.

We analyses some paintings of Henri Matisse, picking out the patterns he uses. The children then went around the school taking photos of all the patterns they could find in the environment.

We viewed all the images on overhead projector then the children had to practice drawing patterns on A3 paper. After this exercise the children were put into groups of 3-4, given an A2 cartridge paper and had to draw their patterns in permanent markers. The task was to cover the paper in patterns. This task completed we then looked at the colours Matisse used.

We discussed primary and secondary colours, and what makes complimentary colours and what effect they have on each other.

The task (still in process) is to paint the patterns using complimentary colours for each pattern and the background.

It was amazing to see the problem solving, decision making, the communication within the group. This kind of collaborative work helps children to take risks with their artwork, they appear to be more confident.