We spent the last two classes of this session learning about Matisse and painting apples inspired by his “Apples on a Table.”  Our focus on this project was on mixing colors and creating shadows and highlights.  We discussed how Matisse distorted the perspective intentionally as part of his composition.  Before we drew the apples, we talked about overlapping objects.  This was a new concept for several students and really got them thinking.  Once the apples were painted, we learned how to make a shadow by mixing a color with its compliment.  For a red apple, we used a bit of green mixed with the red to make the shadow.  They were given a very limited palette, so most of the colors were mixed.  I encouraged mixing directly on the painting.  The results really are stunning.