Human Body Systems Group Collage

Students in the senior grades have been learning about the human brain and body systems this term. As part of their unit of study, we have been looking at diagrams of various body parts in art and spent the first part of the term sketching organs and other parts of the body.

For this project, students were asked to work in small groups. Each group was given a cardboard cut-out of a human body, and instructed to create different body parts and body systems using an array of materials. Students were shown examples of body systems and organs, along with a finished example of a body collage. We discussed plenty of ideas about how best to use the materials. Students experimented with tissue paper, crepe paper, stockings, cotton balls, sticky tape, glue, paper 'magiclay', paint, markers, textured paper and balloons (just to name a few!) for this project.

This was an excellent 'hands on' project that also utilised some fantastic teamwork skills. It was great to see how creative and unique each group was when tackling this task. Well done!

Egyptian Death Masks

As part of their unit on Egypt last term, students in the senior grades designed and constructed these amazing Egyptian death masks!

Students studied ancient Egyptian art, in particular the designs and patterns typically found on traditional death masks. We began this project by spray painting some white masks to make them gold. Students were then given time to design their own death masks in their visual diaries. Once students were happy with their design, they were given a large piece of cardboard to trace a stencil shape for either a crown or a full head piece. These were then cut out, and lines and patterns were added using pencil. Students were then given some basic colours of paint from which to mix their own colours. Once the paintwork was dry, we used a hot glue gun to finally piece it all together. The results are outstanding! This was a very popular project amongst the kids and kept them very busy for weeks. The masks are currently on display outside the staff room, so make sure you check them out!

Picasso Portraits

Students in grades one and two began the term by completing a self-portrait in the style of famous artist Pablo Picasso. Students studied the work of Picasso, who is known for his unique style of drawing and painting faces with bold lines, colours and shapes.

Students began this project by following a directed line drawing of a face in the style of Picasso. Students followed step by step instructions to add facial features and hair using a black oil pastel on white paper. Once the basic drawing was done, students added colour to their portrait using coloured oil pastels and watercolour paints. Students were once again excited to apply a technique known as 'oil pastel resist', where the oil pastel resists the watercolour paint on the page, creating an interesting effect.

Once dry, students cut their portrait out and were asked to mount it onto a coloured piece of paper for a background. Students were encouraged to use their knowledge of colour theory such as complementary colours when selecting a background colour. A fantastic effort by all!