What's Happening In Secondary

Year 9 Painting

This term, Year 9 students have been exploring a range of painting techniques using both acrylic and watercolour paints. Through these experiences, they are learning how different mediums create unique effects—acrylics offering bold, opaque colour and texture, while watercolours provide softer washes and blends. This experimentation is helping them develop confidence and skill in handling paint while enhancing their creative pet portraits.

Our Year 9 artists are diving into a vibrant new painting project: the Posterized Pixel Pet Portrait. Using their favourite pet photos (or ones sourced online), students are learning how to simplify images into five tonal values with a posterize effect before transferring the outlines onto paper for painting. From there, they experiment with colour theory by selecting a favourite colour and pairing it with its complementary opposite, creating bold and dynamic contrasts. Many are adding creative touches, such as accent colours or playful pixel squares, to make their portraits unique. The project blends digital tools, drawing transfer methods, and painting techniques, while encouraging students to explore personal expression through the colours and pets they love.

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