TASK 1: IN THE STYLE OF QUEENIE McKENZIE

Focus: shape & linear detail

• Students looked at several examples of Queenie McKenzie's art and discussed the use of simplified images to show the landscape, and detailed linear decorations drawn around the shapes.
  
• They were asked to create a landscape of simplified images using coloured papers and the collage technique.
  
• Details around the shapes were added with markers to add interest to the design.
  

TASK 2: LAYERS IN LANDSCAPE

Focus: decorative line

• Students were asked to create a design showing several layers in a landscape scene.
• Discussion centred around the use of dot, line & pattern to show the different types of layers such as sand (dots), grass (closely spaced vertical lines), water ( spiral lines) etc.
  
• Students divided an A3 cartridge sheet into a number of horizontal layers and filled in each one with coloured inks.
• A variety of patterns were added to represent the different layers.
• The finished works were attached to black backing sheets to emphasize the bright colours.
  

PRESENTATION:

• Student work was displayed in the Art Room and corridor outside much to the interest of students, staff and parents passing by.

THEME: TREE TRUNKS & BRANCHES

I used this topic as an introduction to the Year 10 course as it provided a useful opportunity for the revision of a range of art elements and principles and a chance for students to work within a theme using a variety of media and techniques. I wanted the students to recognise that just from a simple sketch of a tree trunk in the school yard, a series of effective artworks could be produced.

PART (A) PENCIL SKETCHING

Focus: representational drawing & line

• Students were taken outside to observe and sketch a range of tree trunks and branches as a starting point for this task.
• Accuracy of shape and linear drawing techniques were encouraged.
  

PART (B) COLOURED INK DRAWING

Focus: composition & colour effects

• After looking at some colourful examples of landscapes (eg André Derain "The Turning Road, L'Estaque" 1906) the students were asked to select sections of their sketches and combine these in a balanced composition on A3 cartridge.
• A discussion of the basics of effective composition was included.
  
• Colour was added using inks or watercolour paints. Bright and unusual colours were encouraged.
  

PART (C) PAINTED ENLARGEMENT

Focus: shape, colour & abstract techniques

• Students used a viewfinder on their ink drawing to select a section to enlarge as a painting on A2 cartridge, using acrylic paint.
• A discussion of Abstract techniques was included.
  

PART (D) DECORATIVE DESIGN

Focus: decorative line & pattern

• Students were asked to select from their original drawings and create a composition in which the tree trunks and branches were decorated with black linear patterns, and the background filled in with solid black.
• A3 cartridge, Indian Ink and black markers were used.
  

This task produced quite a contrast to the colourful painting and ink drawing, yet was linked in its subject matter to the theme.

PRESENTATION:

• The finished artworks were attached to backing sheets and displayed at the main Office area, much to the delight of the students and certainly to the staff, parents and visitors who passed by the displays.
  

Jacki Scanlon

Copyright 2004 Zart Art & Zart Education Service