Artist in Focus: Henri Matisse

Welcome to Artist in Focus, a series of relaxed monthly art sessions with VVH printmaker and artist, Rachel Moore. This month, we're exploring the colourful, expressive work of 20th-century French artist Henri Matisse.

Artist in Focus: Henri Matisse - Explore Fauvism and Collage

Tutor: Rachel Moore, print artist

Welcome to Artist in Focus! A series of relaxed monthly art sessions with VVH print maker and artist, Rachel Moore. Rachel introduces a mix of well-known and lesser-known artists working in painting, printmaking, textiles and sculpture.

In each session, Rachel explores a different artist’s story and work before leading three short, creative exercises inspired by the artist’s style. These sessions are all about loosening up, building on your knowledge, experimenting with new techniques and filling your sketch book with fresh ideas. Rachel finishes each session with a focused activity to explore on your own, helping you develop your skills, and spark new ways of thinking about art.

Perfect for all levels, Artist in Focus is for anyone looking to give art a go, explore new techniques, expand their skills and knowledge, and fill their sketch book with fresh ideas.

In this session, Rachel introduces the work of Henri Matisse, a French artist who was a key figure in the Fauvism movement, which focused on using colour to express emotion rather than just to represent the real world.

A master of bold shapes and vibrant hues, Matisse transformed drawing and collage into something joyful and free. His paintings often featured simplified forms, decorative patterns, and energetic scenes that felt full of life and movement. Later in his career, he created striking paper cut-outs, turning simple shapes into powerful compositions.

We’ll take inspiration from Matisse’s playful, powerful style and experiment with colour and shape to create our own expressive artwork.

You can explore more of Henri Matisse's work here with Rachel in her Henri Matisse: Monoprinting session!