Henri Rousseau never saw a real jungle.
Never left France. Never met a tiger. Never took an art class.
And yet—he gave the world some of the most wild, lush, and unforgettable jungle scenes in art history.
That’s the power of imagination.
And that’s why he’s one of our 35 master artists.
Rousseau worked in a tollbooth, painted in his free time, studied animals from books, and explored plants in Parisian gardens.
He was self-taught.
Critics mocked him, but kids loved his colors, shapes, and creatures.
Yours will too.
By studying Rousseau, your students will:
- Explore value (light and dark) with over 50 greens
- Use overlapping shapes to create depth and drama
- Discover how imagination fuels storytelling in art
- Work with watercolor crayons to create texture and movement
- Build jungle scenes full of snakes, lions, birds, or their own wild animals
Every grade level gets a tailored experience:
- Kinders create a stormy jungle with a colorful, wavy snake.
- Beginners layer wild grass, leaves, and a slithering creature.
- Intermediate students draw a lion hiding in the leaves.
- Advanced students illustrate tropical birds with scissor-cut foliage.
Each project blends drawing, painting, cut-paper collage, and creative decision-making. All while learning art elements like shape, value, detail, and mood.
And no, you don’t need a real jungle to teach it.
Just a classroom, a few supplies, and a whole lot of imagination.
Whether you’re a teacher, a volunteer, or a school admin—we’ve got you covered.
Use Rousseau as:
- A springboard for lessons on nature, animals, or imagination
- A standalone artist focus
- Or part of your ongoing Meet the Masters program
Don’t have Rousseau yet? Add him to your artist lineup. Already do? Revisit him for a new layer of depth and discovery.
Want to see what other students created after studying Rousseau?
Visit the Student Gallery now.
Their jungle scenes are full of energy, color, and surprise.
So go ahead—bring the wild into your classroom.
Creatively yours,
Meet the Masters
Inspire – Educate – Create
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