Year 11 Coursework Day

A full day of painting, printing, refining, annotating and collating.

This week the two main art rooms were full to bursting with two large groups of GCSE Art students as they worked outside of their usual timetables on any elements of course work needing attention. As is apparent in the images below the students chose mostly to concentrate on their 'Portraiture' project. It's a diverse theme with personal and individual outcomes. The photos below show a selection (mainly found on the drying rack) of the endeavours of the day.

 



 

 

Screen printing is a fast and flexible way to add another technique into a student's portfolio. The A2 size of this student's Matisse style portrait brings a dramatic and bold element to her project.
 

 

Blooming Bottles Sculpture

Year 13 Hanging Sculpture

  

This student has been inspired to develop her work into a three dimensional form by studying the work of Dale Chihuly. Jasmine's sketchbook shows the influence of other artists connected to the floral theme. After taking her own photographs she moves on to experiment using fast, thick daubs of paint enabling her to capture the energy, colour and movement evocative of any British garden in high summer. An uplifting 'flower power' reminder of the warmer seasons to come.

Behind the Scenes at Bugsy Malone

Leventhorpe's annual musical production begins within the Art Department.

The director of Bugsy Malone is the Head of Art, Ms Jeffries. The bolt of excitement and energy that our school production generates begins within the Art Office as students pay short visits eager to hear news of their auditions and grab copies of scripts. As rehearsals get underway, Ms Pickering plans and paints the scenery and props with help from whoever is willing and able. The costumes and students' performances were fabulous. It's a magical and enlightening experience to see all of the dedicated staff and students involved - a highlight of our school year. 

Photos taken during the performances (11th,12th and 13th Feb) can be viewed here.

Maria's Sketchbook.

A sneaky peek inside the creative process - the workings of one of our A2 students. 

These pages show the progression of Maria's ideas. The double A3 pages begin with a mind map and include media explorations, artists influence and development of ideas- resulting in a couple of large scale paintings (although these may not be the conclusion). Some elements remind me of a particular Feature Film and various TV advertising campaigns. An amazing and inspiring section of work. 

The autobiographical nature of Maria's work is an element intrinsic to how many artists work. It is often the drive behind ideas and processes and what makes peeping in a working sketchbook so undeniably intriguing. It also means that this work is precious and on many levels will hold more than the value of an assessed grade. 

Selfies Year 11

  

Completed at the end of 2013 these stunning charcoal portraits were sketched from photographs taken of themselves.

Self portraits capture a moment in time. Just before the exam season starts for these year 11 students this display can be viewed by older and younger students. The wall of the art room holds this group of people together. It creates a group identity 'The Art Class of 2013-14'. This group will take their exams and with support and guidence will move rapidly towards their future paths during this coming year.

TEA and Tempest

These headdresses were made by Ms Pickering and members of the Year 10 props club for a performance of The Tempest.

 

As you can see I couldn't resist trying them on. The images have been manipulated using the online photo editing tool 'pic monkey'. It's a free and fast way of reflecting a theme. 

It was an outstanding performance in Harlow that evening. Congratulations to all those involved.

Welcome

This Art Department Blog is here to provide a window on the constantly evolving world held within the Leventhorpe School.

               Decollage examples from Year 8 students on the theme of 'Mysterious Interiors'

                             Powerful and surreal collage using magazines and PVA glue.

Our department exists as two large well stock art rooms, adorned with vibrant expressive art work. The staff include two full time teachers of Art (including Head of Department), three part-time Art teachers and two Art technicians. We teach from key stage 3 to 5 including 'A level Art and Photography.


This blog hopes to provide an online presence of interesting tidbits to tantalise and inspire and will ask questions and opinions and hopefully prompt readers to comment and become involved. It will also, of course, showcase the best art work created by students and celebrate the creativity and talent found throughout the year groups at Leventhorpe School.

It will involve plenty of visual information in the form of photographs and may even include interviews and guest posts from artists, teachers and students.