LO: Create a Jackson Pollock style painting

Jackson Pollock was an American Abstract Expressionist painter and considered the most challenging and influential American artist of the 20th century. He was well known for his unique style of drip painting and was the first ever 'action painter', meaning that he would drip, pour, throw and splash his paint onto very large canvases which were often laid flat on the floor of his New York studio.

Many say he would literally dance, as though in a trance, as he created his masterpieces!

Firstly, Art Club discussed Pollock's work and style, then each were given an abundance of coloured poster paints, a piece of A3 white paper and challenged to express themselves... Pollock style!

They really enjoyed the looseness and action of this process.

Some children had the opportunity to create one on a larger scale (below). They put their fingertips in and got really messy!

                        

We discussed how their paintings could express emotions. The different colours as well as how the paint has fallen on to the paper were key factors in various moods/ emotions.

Ideally, it would have been better to do this activity outside. Children were very cautious when applying paint as they didn't want to get it on the walls or carpet! 

As you can see, the paint on their artwork has barely touched the edge of the paper. I think if we were to do this outside their paintings would've been considerably different! 

Many were surprised that this 'action' is classed as artwork and that Pollock's works of art sell for millions of pounds!

Some lucky children had the chance to stay in at lunch time and create a more controlled piece of artwork. 

LO: make Dragon mask!

Roooarrrrrrrrrr!!!!!! This scary dragon mask was made as part of a 1:1 lesson for a child as he was the leading role in a class assembly. 

It was fairly simple to make. We used a bought mask template, below, and attached pieces of cardboard with masking tape to make the facial structure. 

Tissue paper, PVA and paint were used to bring it to life! I love the colour combination!

LO: Alberto Giacometti mod-rock sculptures

In our small intervention group, with limited time, we were able to create small mod-rock sculptures inspired by the great Alberto Giacometti.

Firstly, we used pipe-cleaners to make the body. It was then covered in aluminium foil and secured onto a small wooden circular base with masking tape.

Finally, the mod-rock was used to finish the Giacometti style sculpture! 

The children loved getting messy! 

LO: Understand and create different Greek columns

As Year 5 children are studying Ancient Greek for their topic this term we looked at Greek architecture and the different types of columns that were designed in that era.

I was so proud that every child could name each different type of column by the end of the lesson.

 

                                

If you ignore the odd spelling mistake, the children produced some great artwork today! :)

I can't wait for them to go column spotting around London and know that they now are able to impress their friends and family with their knowledge!

    

Children that had a little extra time got the opportunity to create some Greek buildings using charcoal and chalk...

LO: Make an Ionic Ancient Greek column

As Year 5 children are studying Ancient Greek for their topic this term we looked at Greek architecture and the different sorts of columns that were designed in that era.

A sculpture of a Greek Ionic column was made from two cardboard toilet rolls, paper straws, cardboard, paper, masking tape and white paint for a 1:1 mini-project!

LO: Sculpt a clay Antarctic animal and create a mixed media Antarctic piece of artwork

During their English lessons Year 6 students are currently reading Ice Trap! Shackleton's Incredible Expedition by Meredith Hooper. 

In August 1914, during the height of the heroic age of Antarctic exploration, Sir Ernest Shackleton set off from England with a team of explorers to walk across the Antarctic and study the icy depths of this new and forbidding continent. 

For this weeks art lesson children learnt about the different types of animals that Ernest and his crew may have come in contact with on their Antarctic journey. 

Children focused on penguins and seals for their clay sculptures. Each were given a research sheet (below) for guidance, if needed.

Year 6 children were given more freedom for their mixed media piece of artwork. Landscapes, animals, portraits, a ship... the choice was theirs, as well as the materials.

Keep scrolling to see their incredible final pieces...!

Antarctica, the continent surrounding the South Pole, is the fifth largest continent in the world. It is the coldest, windiest, and driest continent on Earth. On this continent no people live. Groups of scientists come for periods of time to study this land. Many countries operate science stations in Antarctica, but no nation owns the land.

Air-dry clay was used with a little bit of water, plus a fork to sculpt.

Antarctica has a lot of animals in the sea; whales, fish, krill (small crustaceans like prawns), seals. The only land animals in Antarctica are penguins and seals (and people). 

                               
The Emperor Penguin, Aptenodytes forsteri, is the largest penguin. Penguins are birds that cannot fly, but penguins swim very well and spend most of their lives in the sea. 

                               

Penguins are carnivores (meat-eaters) who hunt in the sea. They eat fish and squid.

                       
The Weddell seal is a large marine mammal that lives in Antarctic waters and on fast ice (ice anchored to land). It is related to the walrus and sea lion and does not migrate. It can dive underwater for over an an hour!

Weddell seals are carnivores (meat-eaters); they eat fish, squid, octopus, krill, and other small crustaceans. Seals don't chew their food; they swallow it in large chunks. They eat their food underwater. 

Here are some of the painted final pieces!

...And such beautiful mixed media creations of Antarctic landscapes, animals, Ernest Shackleton and his crew!

LO: A collaborative Antarctic piece of artwork

Children were also given the opportunity in work in larger groups of their choices to create a larger piece of artwork with whatever materials they desire! 

It brought out great teamwork and leadership skills in most children! :)

Such beautiful painting skills

Great use of texture! I love the different materials used here.

The perfectly placed tissue paper shows excellent teamwork!

Amazing facial details on Shackleton and his crew!