Visual Arts Prep - Year 6

Prep to Year 3

These last two weeks the students in the junior cohort have been looking the conceptual understanding that we can use art to help us recognise and celebrate different cultural events.  We started by unpacking the way Diwali is celebrated by looking at different perspectives of different countries that recognise this important event.  We learned the importance of colour and creativity by creating and colouring 'rangoli'.  Students were thinkers when they used their prior knowledge about the element of colour and value, combining it with the art principle of repetition and pattern in completing this activity.  

They followed on from this activity by once again using the same conceptual question and making a connection with the Spanish / Mexican festival Día de los Muertos - Day of the Dead.  Students were able to unpack how art is connected to different cultures and how the two festivals - Diwali and Día de los Muertos - have several connections.  Students ended this fortnight by using their skills to create paper flags (papel picados) as well as paper marigolds.  They used their knowledge of colour and value again to create a repeating pattern on the sugar skull images provided.  

Students in Year 3 were exposed to the connection between mathematics and art when creating their papel picados.  They learned that we have different types of symmetry and that by folding their paper they can create radial symmetry and bilateral symmetry.  Students were super proud to take there festive artefacts home to share with their families.  

Year 4

Students in Year 4 have enjoyed learning about the life of Ned Kelly and the Kelly gang. They have viewed various stories outlining the tales and adventures of Ned Kelly. Students have also enjoyed viewing and discussing various other paintings of Sidney Nolan's Ned Kelly art series and having been listening to songs about Ned Kelly from famous Australian musicians.  This week they developed their drawing skills as they practised drawing Ned Kelly on his horse and learned a variety of different ways to draw horses. This will prepare them for their final art project where they will re create a Ned Kelly artwork and show their appreciation of Sidney Nolan's famous collection. 

Year 5

Students in Year 5 understood that Graffiti can be a form of artwork that is used to express a message, idea or belief by the artist.  They have chosen a word or tag that they would like to create for their graffiti project. They have practised a variety of different Graffiti text fonts using their name or word that they would like to use to express themselves. Students  have learned to create bubble letters, drip letters and wild style fonts.  They have also learned about using shading, tone and value to create 3d effects to their pieces. They will then choose one of the fonts that they are proud of to create their Graffiti wall project. 

Year 6

Students in year 6 have been learning about impressionistic techniques and skills by identifying types of mark making and brushstrokes used in Impressionism artwork. They have learned that Van Gogh was a post impressionist painter, who introduced a new style of art called expressionism. Expressionism is similar to impressionism in that it used a variety of lines and dashes to create an impression of the image, however it also uses rhythm, movement and bright colours to show vibrancy and express emotions and feelings. Students have practised using a variety of oil pastel techniques which they will showcase in the creation of their final art project for the year.