Cut Paper Still Life

I have been working on these cut paper still lives in a few of my schools and Eassie and Newtyle schools have produced these magnificent examples and we can't wait to show them off.

The class started off by preparing papers that represented the oranges, fabric and the jug, using ready mixed paint.  The shapes were then drawn and cut out and added to a black background.

With a little introduction to composition and depth, all that is needed is a dark watery shadow.  Stars all of them! 

SOUTHMUIR SHENANIGANS

We had a huge Christmas card making event at Southmuir Primary, Kirriemuir today and here are some of the results, aren't they great?

We worked in the hall, and the P1,2,3 class was 80 in number!  Quite an undertaking, but the children loved it.

The next class was slightly smaller, about 60! and the results were even better.

notice the nice Scottish touch with the Tunnocks Caramel Wafer scarf

When the P6's and 7's arrived we had really perfected the lesson and the results are outstanding!

A big thank you to Danielle Hue for all her help!

MONSTER MURAL

The infant department at Tannadice Primary wanted a mural, so we designed it my committee and this is the result. Ten monsters created and painted by about 50 pupils.  I love it. 

The big 8 eyed pink guy is my favourite.

Airlie Worthies

While working in Airlie school this week I found one of last years projects on display and finally got round to photographing it.

It was designed by some of the wee ones, selected and cut out by some of the upper school with most of the sewing done by myself and my trusty machine.  The background fabric was painted with dye.

  
The older children used portraits and hand drawings as paper patterns and found fabric in my "Rag Flag Bag".

ISLA SCHOOL blue print project

I have recently had the opportunity to work on an independent project in one of my school as an artist.  (the joys of being part time!) The project was initiated by the amalgamation of three small rural schools and the design of their spanking new, state-of-the-art school building. 

It was a huge undertaking, involving various artists, with a limited budget and a common theme - the blueprint. The children worked on various signs, symbols, stones and paths with a blue theme, which leads the viewer all through the school grounds.  They has gained inspiration from, amongst other things, the original drawings for the school, maps and the route they take to school in the morning.  Producing an abundance of items including bunting, painted stones and little books. 

I worked on these recycled suncatchers to hang on the front fence.  The children wanted to have the viewers look through the little windows that we cut on the tin foil plates where we had placed laminated sheets with wool, printed stamps, and little bits of maps etc.  Later in the year I will make a stained glass window with some of the older children to place in the school.

   

 

Northmuir Revisted

Further to my disc paint revival, at Northmuir today, classes had put up all their magnificent castles.  Stunning or what?  They have done me proud.

SQUWEEEEZY PAINTS

New slant this week - ready mixed paint.  Still life subjects.  We are looking at SHAPE, PATTERN AND COLOUR.

We are taking our time, little by little, stage by stage, watch this space, I think these are going to be great! 

These little artists are only 10 years old!

Disc Paint Colour Families

Inverarity School was studying WW2, so we used the disc paints to create a range of camouflage colours. the gave them names too.....
Think my hall may become blackout yellow next!
The simple circular design was based on the radar, designed by a local man Watson-Watt. 

"DISC PAINTS COME GOOD"

Every art cupboard in every school has a selection of worn-out-unloved disc paints.  Are they ever used?  Good results?  The secret is to "work" the paint, to add a little water with a stiff brush and agitate until the paint has a bit of body.  I like to work with this paint on black paper.  That encourages the pupils to make the paint thick enough to stand out against the background.  Drawn with black wax crayons, or a dark oil pastel, the images can be big, bold and simple.

 

Each pupil was given two primary colours + white and encouraged to make as many colours as possible to create a colour scheme, or a colour family.  These skulls, painted at Eassie primary were based on Mexican sugar skulls.  Note our informal WALTS, (what We Are Learning To do).

These Cortachy Primary paintings are based on the paintings of the Scottish artist George Birrell.      

 

 

The school situated within the idyllic Cortachy Estate and Cortachy Castle is on the doorstep, not just providing a stunning backdrop, but lending the children magnificent walks and a picnic spot to outdo most. 

 

Check out these castles

LEO'S FIRST DAY AT SCHOOL

The children at Isla School are reading a novel based on a pedigree dog. 

What a great excuse to bring the new puppy Leo to school!  Education for both dog and children.

not sedated just very very sleepy!

Look at the drawings they produced.....a day to remember.

Proof, if ever it was needed, that the more visually provoking the stimulus the greater the standard of finished work.