Drawing with Scissors: Screen Printing Workshop in 3 Stages, Inspired by Matisse

The focus for our artwork was Penelope with the Suitors, 1509 by Pintoricchio, displayed in the National Gallery, London. Participants developed an understanding of symbols as well as story-telling and the painting appealed to the youngsters:
• Penelope weaving at the loom – unpicking the woven cloak each evening to avoid a pledge to marry when completed.
• Suitors trying to impress Penelope in their finest clothes and disguise.
• Wailing sirens in the sea.
• Many hidden symbols such as cat, wool, bird, bow, boats and animals.
• The project began with discussion of what may have happened before and following the scene in the painting. Children looked for symbolic imagery and questioned the meaning.

The children wished to make their own modern version of the traditional painting, using simplistic symbols in a bright, modern palette. They questioned the composition: perhaps we could explore sizes with the largest shapes moved to the back. Would it work if we used a small figure and giant boots? Do we need a detailed cat or could we just use symbolic whiskers? Rather than a mermaid, could we just draw create part of the tail?