Art

Nursery children have been learning and exploring painting techniques. They have learnt how artists use splatter painting to create their artwork.

Our year 1 children have achieved an Arts Award. How amazing is that! To achieve this award, they were required to work with an artist in residence. We were lucky enough to work with Shazia Daud who undertook workshops creating Islamic Art. They then went on to producing a portfolio of work and final piece to showcase in our art exhibition to parents. They were awarded with a ‘Discover Arts Award’ qualification from Trinity College of Art that will be recognised in their Education journey.

This half term we started off with the colour wheel, in which children explored colours, they mixed colours together with different mediums. We then went on to look at the artist Henri Matisse, who uses his art to express feelings and emotions. To inspire the children, we closely looked at the ‘snail painting’ from which they took inspiration from to create their own using their knowledge of the colour theory.

We have been exploring the work of Kandinsky. We looked at his art work which contained concentric circles. The children showed great interest in this so we then created Halloween themed paintings in which they used the concentric circles and retrieved their knowledge of Matisse’s colour to express feelings whilst creating their artwork. To build on our children’s cultural capital and interest we explored Halloween further in which children used their drawing skills to draw pumpkins.

“I am painting in yellow because I feel happy” – Amber Rockets

“I have used red because it makes me angry” M.Jaad

Continuing with celebrations we created Rangoli patterns, taking inspiration from Kandinsky’s shapes and using our knowledge from the colour theory. The children thoroughly enjoyed this.

In reception we explored the work of Jackson Pollock. We learnt about how he used drip, Splatter and pour technique on large canvas on the floor using dark colours to express his feeling and emotions. We then went on to create our own paintings of Splatter, drips on a big paper on the floor. We had so much fun and felt excited!

To enhance our cultural capital, we created Valentine Hearts in the style of Jackson Pollock , but used bright, loud and bold to represent love.

Reception children have been exploring works from the Artist Iris Scott. They looked at her paintings and techniques, then went on creating their own paintings of flowers to represent ‘Spring’ using finger painting technique. Once the children mastered the skills they then went on to creating a finger painting of symbols to celebrate Eid.

In reception we explored the work of Pablo Picasso. We learnt about how he used shapes in make a collage of faces. We then went on to create our own paintings of college using shapes and cutting technique to enhance our skills using scissors. We had so much fun and felt excited!

We started the year off with retrieving our knowledge of the colour theory. We created the colour wheel. We looked at the work of Henri Matisse and retrieved collage skills from early years to create their own abstract pictures. This also enhanced drawing and cutting skills.

We then went on to looking at the work of Paul Cezanne. We retrieved knowledge of fauvism from early years and focussed on developing drawing skills and using small dash techniques with paint. They created their own masterpiece of still life in the style of Cezanne.

To enhance our cultural capital, we explored Halloween and looked at Mexican Art. We looked at how Mexican celebrate the ‘Day of the Dead’ by exploring the masks they wear during this festival. We then revisited the skill of collage and recreated masks using collage. We also linked this with Remembrance Day as we discussed how Mexican remember the dead on this day and how we have Remembrance day and wear poppies to remember people that passed away during the wars.

To enhance our cultural capital, we looked at Indian Miniature paintings exploring the style and techniques from these paintings, focusing on Rangoli patterns. We started off retrieving our knowledge of Rangoli patterns and the celebration of Diwali. We then looked at the Singh Twins artist and produced our own Rangoli pattern using chalk pastels on black paper inspired by the Singh Twins.

In year 1 we revisited the artist Van Gogh, we explored his painting and talked about wellbeing and how we can create work express our feelings and emotions. We explored the painting – ‘starry night’ using foil and cotton bud techniques and then went on to recreating an collaborative piece of the ‘starry night’.

In year 1 we explored Pop Art and focussed on the artist Andy Warhol. We learnt about how he used popular consumer goods and turned them into bright and bold art prints.  We then went on to create our own prints using fruits because they are our everyday food item and experimented with bright colours. We really enjoyed printing with fruits and seeing the impression it leaves with different colours.

To enhance our cultural capital, we created Valentine Hearts in the style of Pop Art, bright, loud and bold!

We have been exploring the work of Surreal Art. We looked at Salvador Dali’s art work which is based on dream like images and sculpture. The children showed great interest in this so then they created their own dream like artwork and retrieved their knowledge and mastering the skill of college learnt earlier this year. The Children were able to express feelings whilst creating their artwork.

“I feel happy and sad at the same time ” – Ibrahim 1RA

“I have used the red apply falling out the sky because it makes me feel free and funny” Akram 1JA

To enhance our cultural capital, Yr 1 investigated Islamic Art.  We looked at how Islamic art is formed and where we would find it. Children discovered that Islamic Art is around there own surrounding such as homes and Mosques. We then revisited the skill of using shapes from reception and produced our very own Islamic Geometric Tiles using shape, and watercolours to paint it. We also used the skills learnt from Islamic Art of geometric shapes and created Eid cards to celebrate the festival of Eid.

In year 1 we explored Picasso cubism work and focussed on the portraits. We learnt about how he used 3d shapes to create a cubist face. Cubist portrait.

We started the year off with a retrieval of colour theory. The children were very confident with this. We then went on to looking at Paul Cezanne, retrieving skills such as small dashes and then used this to enhance their drawing skills. Alongside this we looked at feelings of an artist whilst creating their art work. They took inspiration from an art piece of Cezanne’s and created their own still life using water colours. They used a variety of different brushes to create different kind of strokes.

To enhance our cultural capital, we started off with a retrieval of Mexican Art from year 1.  The children were very confident with this. We then continued looking at how Mexican celebrate the ‘Day of the Dead’ by exploring the masks they wear during this festival. We then revisited the skill of colour wash and detail drawing with a black pen and recreated our own Sugar skull drawings.

To enhance our cultural capital, we started off with a retrieval of Indian Miniature Paintings from year 1.  The children were very confident with this. We then continued looking at the work from the Singh Twins and produced our own paisley design on a colour wash background exploring with coloured pens to create a detail pattern.

In year 2 we looked at the artist Van Gogh. We retrieved our Knowledge from year 1 and mastering the techniques of using oil pastel to create a small dashes and swirls. We then explored his painting and talked about wellbeing and how we can create work express our feelings and emotions. Children shared their views on this and gave examples of when they’ve created art work based on their own feelings. We explored the painting – ‘starry night’ in more depth using paints and then children adapted the ‘starry night’ adding familiar silhouettes of City of Leicester mastering the printing technique learnt from year 1.

In year 2 we revisited Pop Art, we explored Andy Warhol in depth focussing on his portraits prints and talked about wellbeing and how we can create work express our feelings and emotions through prints. We retrieved our Knowledge from year 1 and mastering the techniques of printing. We then produced self-portraits using press prints.

In Year 2 We have been exploring the work of Surreal Art. We looked at Salvador Dali’s art work which is based on dream like images and sculpture. The children showed great interest in this so then they created their own dream like artwork and retrieved their knowledge and mastering the skill of college learnt earlier this year.  To build on our children’s cultural capital and interest we explored Valentines Heart and built mini sculptures in the style of Dali dream like work.

To enhance our cultural capital, we started off with a retrieval of Islamic Art from year 1.  The children were very confident with this. We then continued looking at how Islamic Art is represented around the world and what are the main principles of tiles. We then looked at our paintings from last year and then developed it further creating a clay tile.

We have been exploring the work of Picasso. We looked at his cubist art work focussing on still life. The children showed great interest in producing their own cubist style painting influenced by Picasso.

As part of our Art curriculum the year 2 children have visited the Attenborough Arts Centre. They explored contemporary art by ab Artist called Habib Haliljee. The exhibition explored ideas around cultural differences using maps and fabrics and black ball pen. They created a piece of art using maps and black pens drawing observing each other producing a portrait of their partner.  The children really enjoyed their experience visiting the gallery and learning about the Artist. They were able to ask lots of questions and use their Art vocabulary.

We were given a great opportunity to work with Leicester Museum on an upcoming project. As part of their exhibition, they wanted to display toys and objects that the children of Highfields would be interested in.

Our children were selected to go to Newark House Museum to work alongside curators to identify what could go in the exhibition.

The children were so enthusiastic about the trip and really enjoyed taking part exploring and discussing toys from 400 years ago to current. We had the opportunity to tour around the museum and meet a very old ‘Edward’ the teddy bear from the 1900s who lived down the road from Newark House. We look forward to returning to the museum once the exhibition is up and running in March.

As part of our Art curriculum the year 1 children have visited the Attenborough Arts Centre. They explored contemporary art by various Local Artists with disabilities.  The exhibition explored ideas around ‘Traces’ showing how we all leave some sort of a mark around our surroundings.  Children took part in art workshop and created a collaborative piece of art using sticks and paint sticks then selected their own best part and made a frame. The children really enjoyed their experience visiting the gallery and learning about different styles of Art. They were able to ask lots of questions and use their Art vocabulary.

As part of our Art curriculum Reception children have visited the Attenborough Arts Centre. They explored contemporary art by various Local Artist with disabilities.  The exhibition explored ideas around ‘Traces’ showing how we all leave some sort of a mark around our surroundings.  Children took part in an art workshop and created a collaborative piece of art using sticks and paint sticks then selected their own best part and made a frame. The children really enjoyed their experience visiting the gallery and learning about different styles of Art. They were able to ask lots of questions and use their Art vocabulary.

Reception

Exploring Painting Techniques

Reception children have been learning to become artists by developing their art skills and producing pieces of art in the style of Kadinsky. They have learnt techniques shading, stocking, blending, and smudging when using pencil crayons, paints, and chalks. We have also been thinking about how the bright colours Kadinsky uses makes us feel.

Jackson Pollock

Early Years have been exploring the artist Jackson Pollock They were inspired to create their own version of Jackson Pollock’s art by using the outdoors to make drips and splashes for effect on large pieces of paper. The children loved doing this and have been independently doing it in the continuous provision.

Nursery

Expressive Arts

Utterly engrossed in the exploration of ‘clay’.

Squashing and kneading, poking and pinching- great fine motor development.

Exploring what happens if more water is added!

Media & Materials

During continuous provision the nursery children have been spending extended periods of time exploring different media and materials. Independently self selecting resources and tools, noticing what happens when paint is mixed and combining different materials. Great pride in their own achievements has been demonstrated during each part of the project, persevering until completed.

Exploring Fingerprinting and Colour Mixing

Nursery children enjoyed using their fingers to colour mix and paint in the style of Iris Scott.

Exploring Painting Techniques

Nursery Children been exploring painting techniques. They have learnt to print using their fingers. They have take inspiration from an Artist Iris Scott, who painted many paintings by using the technique finger painting.

Art Books

So far in art we have been designing the front cover of our art books, utilising skills such as sketching, drawing and cutting. We have also been exploring the Colour Theory and learning about the colour wheel using watercolours. This has enabled us to understand the difference between primary and secondary colours and will continue to aid us in our ongoing art journey.

Paul Cezanne

Over the past few weeks’ year 1 have been taking inspiration from the work of Paul Cezanne. We have looked into his life and why he created the work he did. We have been taking inspiration from his work to create still life paintings. We have used a variety of materials including, water colours and pencils. We have explored different kind of techniques including small brush strokes, wash and wipe and sketching.

Indian Miniature Paintings

To enhance our cultural capital, we looked at Indian miniature paintings exploring the style and techniques from these paintings. We then looked at the Singh Twins artists and produced a collaboration of artwork inspired by the Singh Twins to celebrate Diwali. We traced the design using tracing paper and pens.

Mexican Art

To enhance our cultural capital, we explored Halloween and looked at Mexican Art. We looked at how Mexicans celebrate the ‘Day of the Dead’ by exploring the masks they wear during this festival. We then revisited the skill of collage and recreated masks using collage. We also linked this with Remembrance Day as we discussed how Mexicans remember the dead on this day and how we have Remembrance day and wear poppies to remember people that passed away during the wars. The children loved creating the masks and showed a very good interest in Mexican art.

Van Gough

In year 1 we at the artist Van Gough we explored his paintings and talked about wellbeing and how we can create work depending on how we are feeling and our experiences. We explored the painting – ‘starry night’ using various materials and then children recreated a collaborative piece of the ‘starry night’.

Paul Signac

In year 1 we looked at the artist Paul Signac exploring his painting technique – pointillism. We explored the technique of pointillism and then recreated our own paintings using paint and cotton buds which gave the effect of pointillism.

Art Books

So far in art we have been designing the front cover of our art books, utilising skills such as sketching, drawing and cutting. We have also been exploring the Colour Theory and learning about the colour wheel using watercolours. This has enabled us to understand the difference between primary and secondary colours and will continue to aid us in our ongoing art journey.

Paul Cezanne

Over the past few weeks’ year 2 have been taking inspiration from the work of Paul Cezanne. We have retrieved our learning from year 1 and looked into his life and explored the paintings he created further. We arranged a still life with objects, drew it and then painted it. We used a variety of materials and techniques such as using a range of brushes for thickness.

Indian Miniature Paintings

To enhance our cultural capital, we looked at Indian miniature paintings exploring the style and techniques from these paintings. We then looked at the Singh Twins artists and produced a collaboration of artwork inspired by the Singh Twins to celebrate Diwali. We traced the design using tracing paper and pens.

Gallery Visits

As part of our Art curriculum the year 2 children have visited the Attenborough Arts Centre. They explored contemporary art by an artist called Letty McHugh. The exhibition explored ideas around sculpture, space and our relationship with ourselves and each other. They created a piece of art to create their own personal space using ropes, pegs, lights and other materials inspired by Letty. One of Letty’s forms of Art is poems so children were exposed to this and thought about how poems can be a form of Art. Children really enjoyed the experience of visiting a gallery, for some of the children it was their first time. They all loved the long walk to the gallery and along the way showed excitement for the things they saw.

Paul Signac

In year 2 we looked at the artist Paul Signac exploring his painting technique – pointillism. We retrieved our techniques from year 1 and then mastered it further by recreating our own paintings using paint and cotton buds which gave the effect of pointillism.

Van Gough

In year 2 we looked at the artist Van Gough. We retrieved our knowledge from year 1 and mastering the techniques of using oil pastels to create small dashes and swirls. We explored more of his paintings and talked about wellbeing and how we can create work depending on how we are feeling and our experiences. Children shared their views on this and gave examples of when they’ve created art work based on their own feelings. We explored the painting – ‘starry night’ in more depth using various materials and then children adapted the painting “starry night” adding familiar silhouettes of Leicester to their piece of work.