LESSON 4
Painting in the Fauve Style
Examine the painting in Figure 6–8. It represents an art style that rose to prominence
twenty years after Impressionism. The style is
known as Fauvism. This is an art movement
and painting style that made use of wild intense
color combinations. The name comes from fauve
(fohv), the French word for “beast.” The term
was coined in 1905 by an art critic protesting
the primitive style. This particular artwork is
by Maurice de Vlaminck (vlah-mink), a
major contributor to the movement.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
You will paint an exterior scene or landscape in the Fauve style. Select and use a variety of appropriate art materials and tools to
interpret nature themes in traditional ways.
You will create your painting by illustrating
ideas based on personal experiences and direct observation using simple shapes and
bright, vivid colors. You will create a sense of
harmony by repeating lines, shapes, and colors. Contrast will be achieved through both
Figure 6–8 Even though
the artist used intense colors, he
still divided his painting into the
traditional areas of foreground,
middle ground, and background.
Identify the colors he used in
each area.
Maurice de Vlaminck. Bougival.
1905. Oil on canvas. 82.6 100.7 cm
(321⁄2 395⁄8). Dallas Museum of Art,
Dallas, Texas. The Wendy and Emery
Reeves Collection. © 2003 Artists
Rights Society (ARS), New York/
ADAGP, Paris.
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Chapter 6
Art History and You
color and the use of geometric and free-form
shapes. Short brushstrokes will create texture.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
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Pencil, eraser, and sketchbook
9 12-inch or larger heavy white
drawing paper or canvas
Acrylic paints in bold hues, mixing tray
Water container, paint brushes in various
sizes
Paper towels, newspaper
Optional: magazines, books, and
postcards of outdoor scenes
WHAT YOU WILL DO
l. In Figure 6–8, Vlaminck combines
geometric and free-form shapes.
Geometric shapes are used for man-made
structures. Free-form shapes are used for
objects in nature. What color scheme has
the artist used? Where in the painting
have warm and cool colors been used?
2. Make two sketches of an exterior scene.
Your subject may be a patio, a backyard,
or a landscape focusing on a nature
theme. If possible, create your sketches
from personal experiences. You can also
look through magazines, books, or
postcards. Keep the shapes simple in
your sketches.
3. Select your best sketch and transfer it
onto your paper or canvas. Do not worry
about whether your shapes look realistic.
4. Review warm and cool color schemes in
Chapter 2 (page 31). Notice the way the
two schemes are contrasted in Figure 6–8.
5. Select or mix bright bold colors in warm
and cool hues. Using a medium-tipped
brush, apply the paint in short brushstrokes, as Vlaminck has done. Remember
that in many Fauve paintings brushstrokes were visible.
6. Periodically step back from your painting
as you work. Are you repeating shapes
and colors? Have you created contrast
using both elements?
7. Allow your painting to dry. Give your
completed painting a title. Share your
finished work with your classmates.
Evaluating Your Work
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Describe What did you select from
personal experiences as a nature theme?
Analyze What shapes did you use in
your composition? Which color schemes
did you use to create contrast? How did
you create harmony and texture?
Interpret What emotion or mood does
your painting elicit? Explain. Does the
name of your painting express the
emotion of the work? Why?
Judge Do you feel you were able to
successfully create a painting in the
Fauve style? Why or why not?
Figure 6–9
COMPUTER OPTION
Select a variety of appropriate art materials
and tools to interpret subjects in the Fauve style.
Create an electronic media-generated landscape in experimental ways. Think about objects
you will draw and the mood you want to express.
Experiment with unusually bright colors. For instance, draw a purple tree or a blue dog. Use a
variety of Brush and Shape tools and use unexpected colors for the objects, sky, and background. Title, save, and print.
Student work. Fauve-style painting.
Visual Art Journal
Analyze your painting in progress
with the teacher or peers, using critical attributes. Critical attributes include your use of the elements and
principles of art. Participate in individual and group critiques, making
notes in your visual art journal.
Lesson 4 Painting in the Fauve Style
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