Paper Cut Outs

Henri Matisse - Paper Cut outs

May 4-8, 2020

Last week we looked closely at nature and about how the artist Georgia O'Keeffe created art by what she observed outside and around her studio in New Mexico. This week we will explore using cut paper to create art. We will look at Henri Matisse who was a painter then transitioned to paper cut outs. Here you can see him working with a large pair of scissors in his studio.He had assistants help with creating the cut outs. He too liked to use objects from nature for inspiration. Let's learn more about Henri Matisse and his paper cut outs.

Henri Matisse

To the left, is a portrait Henri Matisse painted of his wife. Why do you think he painted her face green? Notice his use of colors. He was called a Fauve which is a French word meaning wild beast. He and other artists wanted to express their ideas about art through using bright colors. This was a new way of making art and people did not understand their ideas about color. This painting is in the San Francisco Museum of Art. As Henri became older the was unable to stand and paint for long periods of tim. He created a new way of working by making paper cut outs. He had art assistants help him prepare the paper, arrange and glue the shapes. Let's gather some colored paper, scissors and glue and get started. We will look a few more example of Matisse's work to get inspired. Let's go!

Composition Red and Black

Notice how Henri Matisse used a curved line to create the flower/ leaf abstract shapes. You see this in his work as well as the paper scraps. As you begin cutting shapes look at the left over pieces.

Snow Flower

Gather paper, glue scissors. I even used some old paint sample papers and wrapping paper. Any paper will work.

You can cut out geometric shapes. Here are some examples.

Matisse used a lot of organic shapes. Sometimes in art we refer to these as free form.

I like to start cutting shapes then begin to figure out an idea. You may have an idea before you get started. If you need to draw the shape with pencil before cutting.

I chose a color for the background. My idea is based on the white bird I saw around the bayou on my daily walks.

I began to arrange my shapes on the background. I try to repeat colors and shapes.

Once I get most of it laid out I begin to glue the shapes. Remember to flatten out the shape with your hand. This pressure helps the glue stick.

I continue gluing my arrangement. You can always change things while your gluing.

I decided to add some pink shapes at the end. I also wrote the title, signature and date.

This is called The Snail

It was one of Matisse's last paper cut outs.

The Parakeet and the Mermaid

Check out these other paper cut outs for ideas. Notice the repeated colors and shapes. That give the piece unity. So all the parts look like they belong together.

Check out this video of Matisse making a paper cut out.

I hope you enjoy working with cut paper. It's one of my favorite ways to make art. It's also a good way to use up paper just like we did with our recycled projects. Don't forget you can email any time with questions. I'd love to see your art. During this stay a home time make sure you keep your art work together. As time passes you will remember this time and the art you created.

ccowan@houstonisd.org

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