P-2 ~ The Art of Eric Carle

Eric Carle was the perfect artist/author/illustrator to explore while the Foundation students were learning about Minibeasts and the Grade 1/2s were learning about zoo/rainforest animals.

Our Grade 1/2 students also learned about the artist Franz Marc, who inspired Eric Carle's fabulous book called 'The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse'. Franz Marc painted animals in bright and unusual colours and his modern, expressionistic art was banned in his country. Eric Carle hopes this book shows his young readers that in art, there is no wrong colour.

So we made lots of bright painted papers (just like Eric Carle) and created our very own unusually colourful animals (just like Franz Marc). Aren't they amazing!!!

Foundation students spent time looking at the wonderful artwork of Eric Carle in his classic book 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'. They then experimented with balloon printing to make the circle shapes of their caterpillar's body. Their background was decorated with coloured crayons and a mixture of collaged images from the book.

They also enjoyed reading The Very Busy Spider as well as the Bad Tempered Ladybird. Students made painted papers to create their own spiders, with a white oil pastel web background. To create their ladybirds, students painted and cut a paper plate, added a split pin and some eyes and pipecleaner antennae. They look fantastic! Well done everyone. I hope Eric Carle and Franz Marc have inspired you with your art making.

P-2 ~ Clay Butterflies

As mentioned in a previous post, the Preps, Grade 1s and Grade 2s have been enjoying creating with clay these past few weeks. In fact, the whole school has been modelling with clay this term!

We experimented with modelling slabs, adding texture to the clay, rolling spheres and coils as well as using the method of scoring (scratching) the clay and using slip (watery clay) to join pieces.

Students were given the choice of adding pipecleaners as antennae and making their butterfly into a wall hanging. They really want to bring these home asap, so I will have to make do with taking photos for a display! They can't wait to show you their masterpieces!

Prep A

Prep B

1/2A

1/2B

1/2C

And here are some close-ups....

Preps ~ Corduroy Bear and creating with clay

Both Prep classes have been combined for the remainder of this year for our Art lessons. To link in with their topic of Toys, we have been practising our drawing, painting and collage skills to create Robots as well as Teddy Bears, based on the book Corduroy Bear.

For the past few weeks, the whole school has been working with clay. Prep students were introduced to the techniques of modelling using playdough. We learned about rolling coils, making slabs, modelling spheres, forming pinch pots and adding texture.

We then moved on to working with clay and trying out these techniques. Students were taught how to use the slip and score method when joining pieces of clay. The Preps have made adorable butterfly wall hangings using these techniques. I will post more photos of them once they are complete - at this stage they have been painted and are waiting for the final touches.

Whole School - Vincent Van Gogh

Celebrating the current exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria, students across all grades have been investigating the life and work of Vincent Van Gogh. Students were so engaged during our lessons, enjoying short videos and stories about Vincent as well as viewing a variety of his famous artworks. It has been so rewarding to hear students talk about his artworks (texture, movement, vivid colours) and recognising some of his works (Starry Night, Wheatfield with Cypresses, Sunflowers).

Our Prep-2 students enjoyed creating beautiful sunflowers for a collaborative display. They used oil pastels to draw, colour and blend their sunflowers and showed great persistence when cutting them out!

The 3/4 students have studied in detail some of Van Gogh's landscape paintings, particularly focusing on Wheatfield with Crows. Using oil pastels, students created their own wheatfield, experimenting with textured marks and perspective.

Our senior students were inspired by Van Gogh's chair and created their own 'pop-up version. Using fineliners and pencils/markers students drew their chairs during a guided drawing session. Patterns were created for the floors and the wall was decorated. After a bit of tricky manipulation with extra paper and making slits in parts of the chair, the final artworks were complete!

Stay tuned for some more photos of Van Gogh inspired artworks from our students.

Prep ~ Rhyme Time!!

Preps have been developing lots of different skills in Art this term, linking in with their classroom topic of Rhyme Time. We enjoyed reading and singing The Owl and the Pussycat, as well as our favourite, Incy Wincy Spider.

To create their Owl and the Pussycat artworks, students used oil pastels and watercolour paints to create a resist background. Then they created a collage of torn 'pea green' papers for their boats. Finally, students drew their owl and pussycat, cut them out and glued them down. Lots of different techniques explored and they look amazing!

To create their incy wincy spiders, students painted a paper plate and then threaded string through the holes in the plates - just like weaving a web. This was tricky, but everyone did such a great job. Our 'incy wincies' were made by painting egg cartons and adding details. Great work Preps! Now we are learning all about Vincent Van Gogh.