Henri Matisse “Stained Glass” Foil Embossing.

Henri Matisse “Stained Glass” Foil Embossing
Image from ASI Lesson Book-4, (Expanding the Creative Mind through Mixed Media Book-4), by Greta Heeb

Your Destination: (objectives)
       The goal of this lesson is to teach the students about the process of embossing as well as show them how you can think outside the box and use creative materials. There are many ways to get to your destination and even if you don’t have the desired materials you can find ways to make it work!

Travel kit: (materials)

        Cardboard, string, tin foil, markers, glue, pencil, scissor, old paintbrush.

On the path

Step 1 – Start by sketching out the tree of life. Draw the leaf-like shapes and from there move on to the more geometric leaves shapes

Step 2 – Now we are going to prep our sting in order to glue. Take your string and measure out different size pieces depending on how much you need for each shape.

Step 3 – Glue the pieces of string to each shape, then let dry.

Step 4 – Measure how much tinfoil you are going to use to cover your board and then cut it out. Use your paintbrush and coat the board with a very fine layer of glue. Put your tin foil on top and press lightly around the yarn pieces to make the embossed look. Let this dry.

Step 5 – Time to color! Now you can pick different colors and decorate your stained glass. Make sure you color the raised areas a different shade than the places that have been flattened.

Group tour

Take a look at Henri Mattisse’s Tree of Life Stained Glass.

Extend your journey

Allow the students to try creating their own subject using the same techniques they used in this lesson.

Learn new vocabulary

Embossing, stained glass, geometric, elevated, reduced

Henri Matisse