Specialists
Visual Arts Newsletter
Please note, some of these artworks are a work in progress.
Foundation students have been learning about colour theory through painting a flower. They did a lot of exploring and trial and error to mix each pair of primary colours to create secondary colours while also developing their paint skills. They are now familiar with the colour wheel and its significance of not being able to make the primary colours but, with a little black and white, infinite colours are created. Students also rolled primary colour-soaked marbles in a tray to create these wonderful effects.
Level 1 students are looking at opposite complementary colours to create a mixed media flower collage. Students began in groups, scouring magazines to find their complementary colour pair and then reported back on how they demonstrated teamwork during this quest. They are now designing their flower illustrations in their favourite complementary colour pair. When using a limited colour palette, it encourages students to think more about design ideas to make their picture interesting.
Level 2
Inspired by Australian artist, Margaret Preston’s woodcut print, ‘Bird of Paradise’, students are creating a blob print in either warm or cool colours to create an exotic bird. Students drafted their own exotic bird, either drawing one realistic bird or using features from many birds, combining and creating their own unique bird. The fold over print experience was met with excitable shrieks, watching the colours merge and blend to create an incredible effect.
Level 3
Students are creating a mixed media image based on a tree form. The background is newspaper, the tree is painted and the blossom is in concentric circle formation. Great discussion and debate was had regarding how we know it’s a tree as we move into the idea of abstract art verses representational art. The use of text as the background shows how artists move away from the predictable, and students explore and grow in their thinking of what art is and how ideas can be expressed.
Level 4
Students are creating a collaborative piece that demonstrates, the sum being greater than its parts. Students have further explored line and pattern while creating zentangles that once lined up, will create one long artwork. Measurement and problem solving have been utilised during the black & white creations.
Level 5
Students have learned that optical illusions are an art form and they have been using curved lines and tonal variations to produce the illusion of depth. Our initial discussion regarding the definition of an optical illusion demonstrated amazing growth in level five students whose use of words and understanding was quite astounding.
Level 6
Students have started with their Graduation piece of a facial silhouette on a designed background. They have been reflecting on their time at HEPS; highlights, experiences, learnings, friendships and growth made, and what they want their art piece to say about who they are today. There has been lots of discussion and sharing of ideas as well as respectful interest in others’ thoughts. The final phase of this project is to use text to ‘bring the piece together’.
All levels have been learning new skills & techniques as they create their artworks and are gaining much appreciation & experience about the creative process itself.
