Kids of all ages will enjoy this fun Valentines Day Craft that will help them explore the style of famous artists Matisse. This is such a great art project!
Henri Matisse was one of the most well-known artists of the 20th century.
What does this have to do with your child or Valentine’s Day?
Learning art history on its own is never entirely interesting– especially for the young child. Sitting your kiddo down to a college-style lecture just won’t cut it when it comes to her engagement with the subject. That said, a hands-on art activity can turn learning into a fun-filled creative time!
Matisse
Even though Matisse painted, sculpted and drew, he’s famously known for his use of cutout shapes from colored paper. Take this idea and help your child explore the artist’s use of paper with a Valentine’s Day cutout collage. As a bonus, this artsy activity builds fine motor skills and
adds in a math lesson (geometry and spatial awareness).
Here’s What You’ll Need:
- Card stock paper in white and Valentine’s Day colors – red, pink and purple (your child can also use different shades of the colors, such as hot pink, baby pink, maroon and magenta)
- Scissors
- Tempera paints in Valentine’s Day colors
- a paintbrush
- clear-drying glue
Here’s What to Do:
1. Create a backdrop for the Valentine’s Day heart shapes. Have your child paint sections of an 8x10-inch (or larger) piece of white cardstock paper. Make blocks of different hues. Let the paint dry for at least one hour.
2. Cut hearts from the Valentine’s colors of paper. Your child can fold the paper in half, cutting half of a heart starting at the fold. Unfold the paper to reveal a symmetrical shape. Or, your child can make more free-form heart shapes, without folding the paper. Create different sizes, making
sure that several will fit on the painted paper.
3. Collage the heart shapes onto the painted paper with the glue. Ask your child to fit one heart in each painted color block.
While lecturing your child on the historical significance of the artist won’t capture her attention, you can add in a few fun facts. Start by showing your child a reproduction of Matisse’s work (you can find plenty of reproductions with a quick google of the artist’s name), and asking her, “What can you find in this artwork?” or, “Tell me how you think he made this?” Follow this with your fun facts:
- Matisse started his career as a lawyer. This shows that there’s plenty of opportunity to change and find new interests.
- Speaking of new interests, Matisse didn’t develop a love of art until he was in his early 20s. This followed a bought of appendicitis (he discovered his passion for art while recovering).
- The artist studied painting in Paris.
- Along with his famous paintings and collages, Matisse also sculpted.
- His styles changed as he got older and his career
More Art Projects for Kids
- Textured Painting with Renoir
- 3 Ingredient Monet Style Paint
- Seurat Style 4 Season Pointilism Project
- Paul Klee for Kids
- Tissue Paper Monet Project for Kids
- Painting like Jackson Polluck
- Van Gogh Art Project for Kids
Erica Loop is a mom, parenting writer and educator with an MS in child development. When she's not teaching, she's busy writing kids' activities for her blog Mini Monets and Mommies. You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, and Instagram.
