It has been wonderful to be back teaching our pupils face to face (socially distanced of course), in our wonderful Art space and to be exploring a whole variety of materials and techniques with them once again. Needless to say our first few weeks of the term have been busy and bursting with creativity!
I have been lucky enough to spend a little bit of time with our Pre-Nursery and Nursery classes this term where we have been experimenting with print making in various forms inspired by the natural treasures of Autumn. Having collected a range of leaves, sticks, acorns, conkers and feathers, some of the children have made sun prints using cyanotype paper and some have enjoyed the tactile pleasure of pressing objects into clay to create prints.
In Reception class the children have been busy creating self-portrait paintings. With mirrors on hand they have looked carefully at the colours needed for skin tones and hair and eye colours and have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and therapeutic benefit of mixing the perfect shades!
The Year 1 pupils have enjoyed ‘drawing with scissors’, inspired by Henri Matisse and his paper cuts to create collaged Mandrills complete with their own paper rainforest habitats.
Year 2 have been discovering some useful ‘top tips’ to help them to draw a figure successfully. They have considered measurements and proportion and have worked with enthusiasm to create a collection of quick sketches of figures in different poses.
The cake and sweet themed artwork of artist Wayne Thiebaud has been the inspiration for Year 3 this term. They have been learning how to draw 3D cakes and have enjoyed working with oil pastels to create some bright and delicious looking doughnuts!
The Year 4 pupils have been eagerly exploring mark-making using a range of media including pen, ink and charcoal. We have had some great discussion about the variety of marks evident in some of David Hockney’s tonal landscape drawings and the pupils have enjoyed getting messy!
Year 5 have shown brilliant observational skills when drawing giant-sized beetles this term. They have been focussing on shape, tone and texture to create realistic drawings. We can’t wait to see the finished pieces!
The ‘Day of the Dead’ Mexican festival has been the topic for Year 6. They have created some fantastic, colourful patterns and skull designs, in preparation for making their pieces in clay after half term.
Artist Paul Klee’s comment, ‘A drawing is simply a line going for a walk’ has been the starting point for Year 7’s project this term. The pupils have been exploring continuous line drawings – quite literally taking a line for a walk around their faces! Tackling self- portraits they have worked with creativity and perseverance to draw themselves in wire. We are looking forward to an entertaining game of Guess Who!
There is a fusion of Science and Art for Year 8 this term. Taking inspiration from the work of assemblage artist Joseph Cornell, their task is to design and produce a piece of artwork that conveys an element from the Periodic Table of Elements through the combination of collected objects and handmade details. Keep your eye out for the updated display in the Academic block!
What a great start we have had to the year in the Art department. Thank you to all our Amesburian artists for the enthusiasm and commitment you have shown in your Art lessons this term.
Kerry Tristram & Claire Munro
Visual Art Department
