Visual Arts News
Prep
Last week, our Preps explored the elements of art shape and colour through artworks inspired by Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky. Students created colourful compositions using different shapes, learning that a shape is a flat, closed area (like a circle, square or organic shape) and that the primary colours are red, blue, and yellow.
Next week, students will use shape and colour to create a self-portrait, thinking carefully about how artists use bright, bold colours to show personality.
You can help revise their learning at home by reviewing the primary colours and colours of the rainbow.
Primary colours: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8yuyekP_SoColours of the rainbow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf33ueRXMzQ
Grade 1
Last week, students finished adding texture to their butterfly artworks, experimenting with different materials and mark-making techniques.
Next week, students will paint vibrant backgrounds for their collages inspired by Australian artist Pete Cromer.
You can help revise their learning at home by reviewing the primary colours, secondary colours and colours of the rainbow.
Primary and Secondary colours: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8yuyekP_SoColours of the rainbow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gf33ueRXMzQ
Grade 2
Last week, students finished adding texture to their crocodile artworks, experimenting with different materials and mark-making techniques.
Next week, they will begin their Pete Cromer-inspired collages. Students will continue building their understanding of texture and how artists use repeated shapes and layered materials to create rich, detailed artworks.
At home, your child can practice drawing different types of lines such as zigzag, spiral and curved lines.
Grade 3
Last week, students began experimenting with visual conventions — the techniques artists use to represent ideas and subjects. Using pastels, they created expressive self-portraits inspired by contemporary illustrator Erin Eisele.
Students focused on colour blending and facial proportions.
Next week, they will refine and complete their self-portraits, strengthening their confidence with pastel techniques.
At home, students can look in a mirror and sketch a quick self-portrait, thinking about where their eyes, nose, and mouth sit on their face. They might also like to draw a family member.
Grade 4
Last week, students explored positive and negative space in artworks inspired by Wassily Kandinsky. Positive space refers to the main subject of an artwork, while negative space is the background or empty space around it.
Next week, students will begin creating rich landscape paintings using acrylic paints. They will focus on the elements of space (creating a sense of depth), line (different types of marks), and colour to build detailed and balanced compositions.
At home, students can look at a picture, photograph, or scene outside and try to find the positive space (the main subject) and the negative space (the background around it). Make a quick sketch showing both.
Grade 5
Grade 5 students have finished their cityscapes and will continue developing their dot paintings inspired by Kate Owen and traditional Indian mandala designs.
Our focus is on impact (how strongly an artwork communicates), message (the meaning or idea behind the work), and pattern (repeated shapes, lines or colours). Students are carefully considering how repetition and colour choices help communicate their ideas clearly.
At home, students can make a small dot pattern drawing using repeated shapes or colours.
Grade 6
Grade 6 students have finished their colour scheme cityscapes and will continue refining their still-life drawings inspired by Melbourne artist Carmen Hui.
Our focus is on applying visual art techniques to create a sense of space (depth), balance (even distribution of visual weight), and unity (how all parts of the artwork work together harmoniously). Students are developing observational drawing skills and learning how careful shading and composition strengthen realism.
At home, students can choose an everyday object and draw it, practicing space, balance, unity, and shading to make the still-life look realistic.
It has been wonderful to see students developing confidence, creativity and technical skills across all year levels. We look forward to sharing more of their beautiful work soon!