Year 7

Year 7: Project 1: Recording the Landscape

During this project pupils focus on developing their observational drawing techniques within the context of ‘Capturing The Landscape’. During this phase of investigative work they explore how a range of Artists have used the formal elements of line, tone and mark making to depict the landscape. Pupils also learn about the formal elements of composition and perspective and how this is used by artists to depict natural and manmade landscapes.

Year 7: Project 2: Expressive use of Colour

During this project pupils explore colour theory and painting techniques within the context of landscape and environment. Pupils learn how to use the formal elements of line, tone, mark making and colour to capture aspects of landscape, express mood and atmosphere within painting and mixed media work. They explore a range of artists to develop their ability to make appropriate contextual links to assist in the refinement of their ideas and understanding. Pupils work on developing their own personal response to the expressive landscape theme through the exploration of expressive painting techniques and the application of colour theory.

Year 7: Project 3: Abstraction and animation

During this project pupils explore the abstract use of colour and shape through artist inspired workshops that focus on experimentation with mixed media to capture abstract elements of landscape. Pupils also experiment with different animation packages to create an animated ‘artworks’ that consolidate their experimentation and understanding explored in year 7. This project allows for creative group work, collaboration and independent exploration of a wide range of materials and processes to create lively and imaginative moving images.

Year 8

Project 1: INTRODUCTION TO RECORDING IN THREE DIMENSIONS

During this project pupils learn how to exploit the properties of ceramic materials and tools to record the three dimensional qualities of natural forms through direct observation from primary and secondary sources. Key skills taught during this project include exploration of hand building techniques to record shape, form and structure. Pupils also learn how to develop their skills further using sculpting, modelling, joining and construction. Experimentation with decorative techniques including relief, impressing, incising, carving and mark making allow pupils to describe pattern, texture and detail. Investigation into ceramic Artists to inform the development of techniques and processes also informs the development of pupil’s technical and creative skills.

Project 2: OBSERVATIONAL DRAWING AND MIXED MEDIA

Pupils build their observational drawing skills through investigation of primary and secondary sources using a broad range of two dimensional media. They learn how to select and record elements of tone, pattern, surface and texture using wet and dry media. Pupils refine their use of tone and mark making to record scale, proportion, pattern, detail and surface qualities in an abstract form. They also explore how to develop mixed media work through layering and collage with a focus on creative experimentation and the development of sketchbook work. Pupils also use this project to extend their experience and understanding of colour theory developed in Year 7.

Project 3: EXPERIMENTAL PRINT

Students learn how to translate elements of observational work into print related media. They make links to printmakers inspired by the theme to develop an understanding of printing techniques and processes. Pupils experiment with line, mark making and pattern through layered printing and exploration of how their initial observations can be successfully translated into print.

Print workshops allow pupils to experiment with monoprint, printed papers and materials, collograph and polyblock.

Project 4: PORTRAITURE

Pupils investigate the key elements of portraiture through a series of technical workshops. They explore how portraiture has been interpreted by a range of artists and use this to develop their own ideas and understanding of the genre of portraiture. Pupils investigate approaches to portraiture including Expressionist, Impressionist and photo realist Artists. Workshops on facial proportions and anatomy develop pupil’s technical and creative skills when working from life.