C is for Color

The "C" page in our art resource for the year, M is for Masterpiece, describes COLOR--mentioning the the color wheel, complimentary colors, and color blending, as well as the art of Henri Matisse.  Below you'll find our thoughts and ideas on how to learn more about the art and artist mentioned, to appreciate his works, and to create some art of your own, experimenting with the concept of color.  We suggest you create narrations from your learning to add to your Book of Centuries.

 Learn about the art:

Learn about the color wheel and the color theory. (Warning: This site has ads in the sidebars that are not filtered.  It would be best for Mom to print the article and share it with the kids.)

Learn about setting the mood with color.

Books about Color:

Color Dance

Mouse Paint

Little Blue and Little Yellow

White Rabbit's Color Book

                                                                                     My Many Colored Days

Learn about the artist:

Download a fun Matisse song

Matisse in Wikipedia (lots of images included)

Matisse the King of Color

Henri Matisse: Drawing with Scissors

Henri Matisse

Read about Matisse in Lives of the Artists: Messes, Masterpieces, and What the Neighbors Thought.

Admire the Art:

The source for the paintings and the collages in this article is the Wikipedia article mentioned above.

• The first painting is Woman in a Purple Coat.
• The second is a collage called The Sorrows of the King.
• The third painting is Two Girls in a Yellow and Red Interior.

Matisse at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

While for the most part, it is good to let the kids just observe closely and make their own discoveries about the art you present them for picture study, with the Matisse works, it would be nice to talk about the colors he uses and the feelings they evoke.  Try to gently introduce the conversation and ideas.  Ask questions, point out details, and let the children talk.  You'll be amazed at how easily beautiful art evokes good conversations.

Here are some fun board books for your littlest art fans:

A Magical Day with Matisse

Touch the Art: Feed Matisse's Fish

Imitate the Art:                                                                                   

Be inspired by Matisse

Three ideas for imitating Matisse's colorful art

Make a Matisse Collage with Your Hands

Color Your Own Matisse Painting

Have fun with Color:

A fun color mixing activity for the littlest artists

Complimentary color experiment for the other kids

Create art that expresses emotion.

Enthusiasm or ideas for this post, e-mail Colleen or Marisa.