Henry Rousseau

Henry Rousseau was a French Post-Impressionist painter (ie blurry images)

Henri Rousseau was born on May 21, 1844 about 166 years ago. He was a self-taught painter meaning he never took lessons on how to paint. Rousseau claimed he had “no teacher other than nature."

His best known paintings show jungle scenes, even though he never left France or saw a jungle. Rousseau’s flat, seemingly childish style gave him many critics; people often were shocked by his work and made fun of it. He was unaware that other artists considered him untutored and not very good. He always tried, without much luck to get acceptance. He played the violen and worked briefly for a magazine, where he produced a number of its covers. Mostly he painted as much as he could. After he died, his paintings became very famous and worth a lot of money. They can be seen in art museums all over the world.

How to draw animals? The best way is with shapes! How does the shape look?

Step 1: Make the shapes of the animal that you see. It really helps to see animals (use your books or pictures or something if you have it).

Step 2: Add in more details with lots of colors and enhance (or double) the shapes. In the picture above note the blending in the eye, a DARK BLACK nose and a light shaded face. We can blend color with our fingers too. Don't be afraid to make a mistake.

Step 3: Add in background, no white color showing except white pastel! Lots of mix of color dark and light.

For this project only nature and jungle with animals and plants. What animals or plants do you see in your jungle?

Parent Helpers: Please put name labels on the back of the paper before students get started, if they are not already on. If a few parents can stay after and put the artwork up, that would be very appreciated! Someone please return the all totes, supplies and artwork (if not put up) to the PTO room. I will put it all away. Thanks so much for your help today!

Supplies List:

Name tags
Paper
Oil Pastels

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