Category: Classes

Term 5 Week 1

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This was the first week in our new studio! We were very excited about getting settled in. We’re focusing on collage this term- we’ll be using different media and techniques to create collage work inspired by various artists.

Amber & Turquoise Class

Our reception, year 1 and year 2 artists are looking at the work of Cornwall based mixed media artist Michèle Brown (see examples). We discussed the different textures we could see in her work and thought about how she might have made them. We then spent time generating our own textured papers by scribbling along to music! We used pencil crayons, ink and rollers, and metallic wax crayons.

You can see more of  Michèle Brown’s work here.

 

Magenta & Violet Class

Our year 3 and 4 artists started a three week project that builds on the large scale charcoal owl portraits we worked on last term. We will be developing a similar close up portrait of an animal, working with ink and acrylic paint onto a collaged background. This week we created different kinds of patterned and textured paper, ready to start collaging next week. We responded to different pieces of music using a variety of media including pencil crayon, oil pastel, Brusho ink, candle wax and Indian ink.

 

Emerald Class

Our year 5 and 6 artists have been looking at the work of graphic designer Martin O’Neill (see examples). Starting with black and white photos of ourselves, we created our own versions of some of his collaged portraits. We got some great results!

You can find out more about Martin O’Neill here.

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Our New Studio!

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We were excited about starting classes in our new studio this week! We’ve now got more space, our own toilet and kitchen facilities, and even a projector screen! We’re looking forward to making good use of it this term.

Term 3 Week 4

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Amber & Turquoise Class

Our reception, year 1 and year 2 artists took prints from the printing plates we made last week using craft foam. We started off using single colours, before moving on to using multiple colours on the same print. We learned how to produce a clear print by judging the amount of ink we needed to use, and applying an appropriate amount of pressure to the plate before lifting it off the paper. We made eight prints each- it was a busy session! We chose our most successful print to share with the group and described why we had chosen it.

 

Magenta & Violet Class

Our year 3 and 4 classes made prints from their printing plates too. We used single colours to start with, then experimented with combining two or three colours in different ways. We got some really successful prints!

 

Emerald Class

Our year 5 and 6 artists used a variety of colours of ink to produce multiple prints from their typographic designs. The prints came out brilliantly, and the printing plates themselves looked really creative! We also printed two versions of the animal drawings we produced on polystyrene sheets last week. Next week we’ll be printing a second layer onto these in a contrasting colour.

Term 3 Week 3

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Amber & Turquoise Class

This week our reception and year 1 and 2 artists created a different kind of printing plate. We investigated the work of Henri Matisse, then cut shapes from craft foam inspired by Matisse’s collaged images. We arranged the shapes on a piece of mountboard to create an interesting composition. Some of us included our names or initials, which was tricky as we had to make sure the letters were backwards so that they will print out forwards! Next week we will produce prints from our plates.

 

Magenta & Violet Class

Our year 3 and 4 artists spent some time assembling their cityscapes this week. We arranged our prints onto the painted backgrounds in layers to give a sense of depth before sticking them in place. Some of us swapped prints with others so that we had a variety of buildings within our pictures. The results were really effective!

We then cut letters from craft foam and used PVA glue to fix them onto a piece of mountboard to form a printing plate. We took care to make sure the letters and words were all mirror image so that they will print out the right way round. We’ll be making prints from them next week.

 

Emerald Class

Our year 5 and 6 artists continued with their typography printing plates this week. We have been working on some intricate wording which required a lot of skill and patience with the scissors! Next week we’ll be making prints from them.

Term 3 Week 2

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Amber and Turquoise Class

This week our reception, year 1 and year 2 artists used their polystyrene printing plates from last week to create images using block printing ink. We got some great results! We learnt about different kinds of printing blocks and had a go with wooden blocks, rubber blocks, linocut plates and foam shapes.

 

Magenta & Violet Class

Our year 3 and 4 artists created backgrounds for their printed cityscapes from last week. We used wax resist techniques to portray clouds, then added a variegated wash using Brusho paint. We discussed warm and cool colours, using warm colours to show a sunset sky and cool colours to suggest a night time scene.

 

Emerald Class

Our year 5 and 6 artists continued with their typography projects. We drew out our designs onto craft foam then carefully cut the letters out. It took a lot of patience! We’ll be finishing them next week.

 

Maroon Class

In Maroon class we’re working on some drawing techniques. This week we experimented with tone and texture using a variety of media, including graphite, charcoal, wax resist and watercolour. The resulting drawing was full of energy!

Term 3 Week 1

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We’ve had a lovely first week back after the holidays! Term 3 at Art Stars will focus on printmaking. We’ll be learning a variety of techniques including lino printing, polystyrene block printing, etching and collograph blocks. Our artists will develop their skills in design, typography and repeating pattern as well as their fine motor skills, and we’ll be inspired by local printmakers such as John McGowan and Carry Akroyd.

Amber & Turquoise Class

Our reception, year 1 and year 2 artists had a go at some printmaking using washable markers. We used biros to draw designs based on last term’s Leroy Nieman inspired lions onto polystyrene sheets. We then added colour using the pens, before printing the image onto paper. We dampened the paper with sponges before printing to allow the colour to transfer successfully. We got some interesting results!

 

Magenta & Violet Class

Our year 3 and 4 artists started a two week printing project. We created a city skyline in our sketchbooks by drawing a series of horizontal and vertical lines, adding windows, doors and roofs. We then recreated our designs onto polystyrene sheets, before rolling printing ink onto our printing plates. We made several prints in black ink onto different coloured paper.

 

Emerald Class

Our year 5 and 6 artists have been investigating typography. We looked at examples of typographic posters, then chose a word or quote to produce a design for. We created a layout by sketching blocks into which we fit the words. Next week we will be producing a printing plate of our typographic design.

Term 2 Week 7

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Amber & Turquoise Class

Our reception, year 1 and year 2 artists finished their fabulous Leroy Nieman inspired lions this week! The results are very colourful and full of character. They’ll be on display at our exhibition at Black Cab Studio next week, which is open to the public on Saturday 23rd December, 10-4. 

 

Magenta & Violet Class

Our year 3 and 4 classes finished their landscapes in the style of Ton Schulten. We mixed different shades of reds and purples to paint the buildings in our designs, then added finishing touches such as trees and boats. We then had some time to create Christmas cards and paper chains!

 

 

Maroon & Emerald Class

Our year 5 and 6 classes added the second layer of pattern to their Chris Ofili inspired abstract pieces. We used black and white photos of our own faces in our designs, and added pom poms coated in PVA glue to represent the elephant poo in resin that Ofili uses in his work!

Term 2 Week 6

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Amber & Turquoise Class

Our reception, year 1 and year 2 classes made a start on their Leroy Nieman inspired masterpieces for the Winter Exhibition this week! We referred to our practise work from last week, working in layers of different primary and secondary colours to build up our vibrant lions’ manes. We’ll add the finishing touches next week!

 

Magenta & Violet Class

Our year 3 and 4 artists began their Ton Schulten inspired canvases. We quickly sketched a composition of horizontal and vertical lines onto our canvas using a ruler, then mixed different shades and tones of yellow and orange for the sky. We then moved on to using blues and greens for the ground. Next week we’ll use reds and purples for the buildings, and complete additional details such as trees and boats.

 

Maroon & Emerald Class

Our year 5 and 6 artists completed the first layer of their abstract designs inspired by Chris Ofili. Next week we’ll add a layer of pattern using acrylic paint, collage and other materials to finish off our pieces.

Term 2 Week 5

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Amber & Turquoise Class

This week our reception, year 1 and year 2 classes have been looking at the paintings of popular American artist Leroy Nieman (see examples below). We discussed his use of colour and brush strokes, then practised drawing lion faces in our sketchbooks. We finished with a colour version, combining oil pastel and watercolours. We will be starting a final version on canvas next week ready for our Winter Exhibition!

 

Magenta & Violet Class

Our year 3 and 4 artists created compositions based on the landscape paintings of Ton Schulten (see examples below). We used rulers to draw a series of horizontal and vertical lines, creating a grid on which to draw some elements from a landscape such as trees, buildings and boats. We then mixed variations of different colours to paint in the different spaces created by the grid. We will be starting final versions of our designs on canvas next week, in preparation for our Winter Exhibition!

 

Maroon & Emerald Class

Maroon class finished off their Hundertwasser inspired landscapes this week. They got some brilliant results! 

 

Emerald class discussed the work of Turner Prize-winning British artist Chris Ofili (see examples below). We talked about his use of patterns and collaged faces, and his African influences. We warmed up in our sketchbooks by generating lots of different patterns, then created mixed media abstract patterns around collaged photos. We will starting our final paintings on canvas next week, which will be on display in our Winter Exhibition!

Term 2 Week 4

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Amber & Turquoise Class

This week our reception, year 1 and year 2 classes have been looking at Aboriginal art (see examples). We discussed the earthy colours used, and how the patterns were made using lots of tiny dots. We learnt about Aboriginal symbols- the concentric circles represent a campsite, lines between them are journeys, and little ‘c’ shapes around a circle shows a meeting place. 

We used cotton buds to create our own images, telling the story of a journey from one place to another.

 

Magenta & Violet Class

Our year 3 and 4 artists continued with their investigation into the geometric compositions of Wassily Kandinsky (see examples below). We practised some watercolour techniques in our sketchbooks, such as varying the tone of a colour by adding water, and producing graduated and variegated washes. We then used these techniques to add colour to our own Kandinsky inspired compositions.

 

Maroon & Emerald Class

Our year 5 and 6 artists continued with their colourful paintings inspired by Hundertwasser. We mixed our own secondary and tertiary colours, and showed a lit of patience and paintbrush control when adding colour to the tiny details. The results look brilliant!