Visual Arts

Communicating with the Specialist Team

We look forward to partnering with you in 2025, and welcome your input:

Danielle Haines (Visual Arts)  danielle.haines@education.vic.gov.au 

Foundation students have been exploring the art of Alexander Calder. They were able to describe different lines, shapes and colours they could see in his art and use these in their own abstract work. Using oil pastel to draw their shapes, they carefully painted to keep the primary colours clean and bright, trying not to let them mix into secondary colours. 

This week, foundation students experimented with materials to see how they react with water. They drew patterns with oil pastel and coloured a sheet of plastic with water-based markers. We sprayed the plastic with water and lay their paper down on top. The big reveal is always full of wonder as their unique paper is revealed. 

Year One and Two students were introduced to the art of the Impressionists. These artists wanted to break free from the traditional subjects of their time and simply go outside and paint. They had to paint fast to capture the impression of what they could see. Students used 'Poplars in the Sun' by Monet as inspiration for their own landscape. They used a quick "dab, dab" style of painting to fill the sky and land. Each one is unique despite using the same inspiration piece. Finished works are beginning to go up on display in the art room, so make sure you pop by and have a look.

This week we drew block cities inspired by Paul Klee's 'Castle in the Sun'. This was a chance to use our imaginations and build a world from simple shapes.  

Year Three and Four's incredible magpies are complete with stunning results. They used reference photos and practised drawing the proportions of the bird in their books before having a go on their backgrounds. Students had to make sure they pressed really hard to create a solid black that would be strong against the coloured background.

Our next project used acrylic paint to explore colour and value. They painted deep water oceans using analogous colours. This week they drew jellyfish on top of their backgrounds to complete their underwater scenes. 

Year Five and Six students have finished up their exploration of colour with unique designs for their colour wheel. They each created a unique arm for the wheel and painted primary, secondary and tertiary colours.

We have been exploring perspective and the element of space in art. Students had the opportunity to complete worksheets to teach one-point perspective techniques. This week they are using the landscapes of David Hockney as inspiration for their own landscape painting. They are including techniques to create a sense of space, or depth in their work.