Family Activity Inspired by Karel Appel's Cats, 1978

Karel Appel was a Dutch artist whose work is characterized by his use of bright colors, simple forms, and expressive brushstrokes. His work emphasized a move away from formality in artmaking and an emphasis on creating a sense of dynamic energy.

In this moderately easy Family Activity, we'll walk you through how to make a portrait of your pet (real or imagined) inspired by Appel's Cats, 1978

Karel Appel (Dutch, 1921–2006). Walking Cat from the portfolio Cats, 1978. Color lithograph on Arches paper, edition 115/125, 24 5/8 x 32 1/4 inches (62.6 x 81.9 cm). Collection Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York; Gift of C. Stanley Waggoner, M.D., 1979 (P1979:28.2). © Karel Appel Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Karel Appel (Dutch, 1921–2006). Sunshine Cat from the portfolio Cats, 1978. Color lithograph on Arches paper, edition 115/125, 24 5/8 x 32 1/4 inches (62.6 x 81.9 cm). Collection Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, New York; Gift of C. Stanley Waggoner, M.D., 1979 (P1979:28.17). © Karel Appel Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Getting Started

  • How do the colors in the images above make you feel?
  • How do you think the cats in the paintings feel?
  • What do you think the cats are doing?

Materials

  • Paper
  • Paints
  • Paintbrushes
  • Mixing tray
  • Water cup
  • Sharpie/marker pen to draw outline with
  • Alternatives to paint: markers or crayons

Artmaking Activity

1. Pick your pet.

Things to consider in the design of your artwork:

  • What do you want your pet to be doing?
  • How is your pet feeling?
  • Where is your pet?
  • What colors would highlight what your pet is feeling?

Tip: Find an image of an animal on the internet or take a quick photo to work from like this snap below.

An orange cat curled up in a gray cat bed on a wooden floor

2. Draw your pet on the paper with a sharpie or dark marker pen, use quick, dynamic lines.

3. Pick a base color for your background and another for the body of your pet.

4. Draw or paint the body of your pet using quick lines or stripes.

Tips: Use different kinds of lines: thick lines, thin lines, curvy lines, or any other kind of lines you like! Try using a variety of colors that capture your pet’s emotions. Karel Appel focused on capturing the energy of cats, not creating a realistic picture.

5. Add some patterns or marks to the background to complete the picture.

A bird's eye view of two people painting shapes on the backgrounds around their cats

Optional: Share your creation on Twitter or Instagram with #AKBeyondWalls and #MuseumFromHome!

Vocabulary

Portrait: a painting, drawing, photograph, or engraving of a person

Brushstroke: mark made by a paintbrush across a surface

Formality: in art sticking to a set of rules, methods, or process of working with materials

Dynamic: characterized by constant change, activity, or progress

Abstract: nonrepresentational, nonrealistic in nature

Background: the area or scenery behind the main object of an image