Art with Ms Emily
Getting Messy in the Art Room
It’s been another busy term in the Art room which has seen the multipurpose room grow as a gallery space which you can come and enjoy at the upcoming end of term assembly.
In the F-2 class we have learnt about form. We learnt that form is one of the seven elements of art and refers to the 3-dimensional qualities of a sculpture or painting. We studied several techniques that artists use to create form, including using highlights, mid-tones, and shadows to create dimension on a piece of paper. This was allot of fun and was quite mind blowing for students, especially when looking at a range of sidewalk chalk artists work from around the world. Students used these concepts to create birds eye view snowmen using oil pastels, which was a first for some, to create our shading and mid tones, bringing our snow men to life. These Art works can be found on display on the windows of the multipurpose room for you to look at whilst waiting for class pick up.
We continued our learning on perspective by exploring the concept of one-point perspective. We learned that one-point perspective is a technique that artists can use to create the illusion of space, making the viewer feel like they are standing inside the artwork. We viewed many different artworks both old and modern and identified where the artist had used a horizon line and a vanishing point to create this effect and then we used these concepts to create our own farm themed artwork.
Our Artist Study this term was the famous French Artist Henri Matisse. Matisse used many different tools and mediums to create his art. He was even the leader of an artistic movement that used bold, non-realistic colours and patterns. We learned that many people didn’t like this art, and called the artists “les fauves” which means “the beasts” – this is how this style of art got it’s name – Fauvism. As Matisse grew older, he experienced health problems that confined him to a wheelchair. Rather than give up his art, he changed mediums! He still loved bold, exciting colours, but instead of using paints, he began to “draw with scissors”. He called this series of artworks The Cut Outs. Students had so much fun with this concept, it was a little daunting for some to cut out their shapes free hand without drawing the shape first however we did our best to stop worrying about the tiny details and just go where the scissors took us. Students created their own individual artworks which can be found in their folders and as a class we created a group artwork which is displayed on the wall of the multi-purpose room for all to enjoy.
To Finish the term off we are having fun, experimenting with different ways of creating art works, using concepts we have learnt about previously, it’s fun revision! Currently we are revising our knowledge of cool colours. We are making quirky newspaper sharks emerging from the water. We created our watery inspired image by mixing paint, water and detergent and then did what all kids love to do with their milkshakes but are never allowed to do, we used straws to blow bubbles into the cup until the paint bubbles overflowed onto the paper. So much Fun, so much mess and so very effective! We can not wait to show you the finished product.
The 3-6 art class started the term learning about and practising gradation. This is the skill of moving from one colour to another seamlessly and without a trace. This would be a skill they would use in their artworks throughout the coming term. From here the 3-4 class moved into their first art project using air dry modelling clay to create ‘Textured Drip Sculptures” We looked at the works of modern artist and Instagram sensation Dan Lam. Students spent time getting used to and simply playing with the clay so they could get an understanding about how it held its structure, how they could work with it and hence how far they could push the medium. First attempts to dry were not very successful for some students but after group/peer discussions students came up with a new plan on how they could get their sculpture to dry and hold its shape with a more even weight distribution. It was at this point that students fully understood that art is, like maths, a problem solving subject, just in a much more creative manner. These projects will be completed next term as there was a problem acquiring the spray paint which is still on back order, however patience is a virtue and good things come to those who wait so stay tuned.
The 5-6 class took their gradation work and moved into their project “Patterned Landscapes”. This was a unit that showed students that they can make wonderfully mesmerising artworks with very few materials, that a simple black pen can create beautifully interesting art works.
The objectives of this unit of work were:
- Create compositions by analysing and interpreting reference landscape images.
- Transform realistic images into abstract, pattern-filled designs.
- Develop control and precision in creating line drawings
- Explore pattern-making techniques, experimenting with contrast, repetition, and rhythm.
- Evaluate and articulate your work using appropriate language.
To finish the term off/have a short break from the patterned landscapes unit the 3-6 class undertook a fun and colourful Picasso Portrait project. Using the phrase “Being a Little Weird can Be Amazing” as our reference point and a massive pile of cardboard left over from the recent election, we created bright, colourful, kooky self portraits that celebrated our inner “weirdness”.
The 7-8 Art Class has spent the term exploring the life and works of abstract artist Paul Klee who was most well know for his paintings and his use of colour. “Colour has taken possession of me; no longer do I have to chase after it, I know that it has hold of me forever... Colour and I are one. I am a painter.” – Paul Klee
Strictly speaking, the word abstract means to separate or withdraw something from something else. The term can be applied to art that is based on an object, figure or landscape, where forms have been simplified or painted in a very ‘not real’ way and that was our goal.
The objectives of this unit of work were:
- To learn about the artists Paul Klee
- To practice creating an artist research page
- To learn about ‘Quality of Line’ and importance of Composition
- To experiment with watercolour paints.
Students created their Klee inspired art works using monstera leaves as their subject matter reference point. We had a focus on composition so students produced many draft copies before deciding on their final compositions, deciding each time what needed to be removed or added in to visually make the most of the space they had to work with. As we speak students are so close to completing their final works and if all goes according to plan, they will be ready and on display at the end of term assembly. When entering the Multi-purpose room you will also be able to view the class’s Chihuly inspired instillation they completed last term and which is now hanging for your viewing pleasure.
Student will be taking home a photography based assignment to complete in the holidays so we can hit the ground running next term with a very practical based term filled with printmaking mess and fun.
