Listed below are details of the projects that students study during years 7, 8 and 9 in Art & Design. In order to manage resources and student work teachers are free to teach these in any order during the year.
Y7 ART AND DESIGN
PROJECTS
Foundation Project (painting and drawing)
This project focuses on developing foundation drawing skills and using available visual resources explores the formal elements of line, tone and texture. We look at how these formal elements work separately and together to create images with markedly different qualities.
The second half of the project introduces colour, colour mixing and painting techniques.
There is also an emphasis on establishing routines and expectations at this crucial, early stage.
Organic Forms Project (clay)
An introduction to clay exploring modelling techniques in order to create abstract sculptures based on organic forms. Working in three dimensions poses new questions for students and clay is a very accessible material for them to try things out.
Apart from learning about the technical side of working with clay, students will be engaged in the creative process of selecting and rejecting, reviewing and modifying, developing and refining, until they have produced a sculpture which is based on organic forms but is not a copy of them.
Bugs and Sea Creatures (collograph printing)
In this project students will learn how to make a collograph print by sticking shapes and textures onto a card base. This is a great introduction to printmaking as this techniques allows students to start simply and get good results, but it also lets them experiment further to see if they can get even better results. Parents! Start collecting textured wallpaper, small string bags and other textured materials because we are going to need them!
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Y8 ART AND DESIGN
PROJECTS
Icons (painting and drawing with a bit of 3D as well)
This project takes its inspiration from Early Christian religious Icons. These are images of devotion which follow a particular design with its own stylistic language. Students compare these images to modern day interpretations of what an icon is. They are then tasked with producing an Icon of their own based on a hero figure from the media or based on someone they know personally. Students clearly need to understand what makes an image particularly become an icon and then apply those rules to their own work.
Animals (mixed media)
Using recycled materials students will use their imagination to create a series of strange and wonderful animals. This idea is inspired by the work of David Kemp and shows a more playful side of Art in terms of what is produced but the reality of coming up with these unique creatures is a real challenge. Students will need to really experiment properly, overcome and learn from failures before making any progress and show some determination to get to make a final piece.
Expressionist Portraits (printmaking)
Students will ultimately produce a Lino Print during this project. This is a technique which requires a bit of thought and a lot of precision but will produce really exciting results.
For inspiration we will be studying the work of German Expressionist artists, particularly Katthe Kollwitz. Their work focussed on the darker human emotions of fear, despair and hopelessness. Lino printing is a technique which effectively matches those kinds of theme and it is up to the students to try and exploit these properties in their own work.
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Y9 ART AND DESIGN
PROJECTS
GCSE taster project (various techniques)
The idea of this project is to expose students to the requirements of both GCSE Art and Photography by way of a series of short activities. Each activity examines a different aspect of working at GCSE level. Students get to draw, paint, work out how to collect evidence of idea development, try pinhole photography, do some art history research and one or two other tasks as well. The idea of this is to make sure that when students choose their GCSE options they will know exactly what they are getting into with Art and Photography.
Architectural Detail project (3D)
In this project students research and explore a range of architectural styles, selecting favoured elements and putting them together in a bas relief sculpture. The idea is that each section will join with the next to create a large scale, collaborative piece to be displayed on a wall. Previously the focus has been on creating a facade whereas this year there will be the opportunity to look at developing statuary.
Illustration Project (lino reduction print or drypoint etching)
Students have the task of illustrating one of a range of starting points. These may include illustrating proverbs for a greetings card or illustrating playing cards. The point is that they have to come up with creative solutions which are both personal and individual. This project challenges students to utilise a range of skills and apply previous knowledge but in the context of a fun and exciting task.
Last updated: 19 October 2011
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