The inspiration for this project came from one of our students when practising negative and positive printing. His art work reminded others in the class of textures we see when looking at close up views of planets in space.

We then studied some photos of planets in the Herald Sun Space 2001 series to observe the features that distinguish each of the planets in our solar system.

• Using the positive and negative stencil print techniques we had been working on, students cut a cirlce from folded newspaper.
• They then placed this positive image on A3 cartridge paper and rolled semi-mixed blue and black paint to create their space background. (The white circular 'hole' served as a guide to place the planet later.)
• Then, using their negative stencil-the newspaper with the circular hole-and scrunched paper, they made marks with paint colours of their choosing onto a separate A4 piece of paper to represent a planet of their choice
• They were asked to represent shadowing effects and the planet's colour, shape and texture.
• In the final session, they cut out the planet shape and glued in onto the background, using the guide 'hole' for correct placement.
• Glitter, metallic board and metallic/glitter paints were used to add rings, stars, comets, and meteoroids before mounting and presenting.

A very worthwhile unit, utilising mutiple art skills, art terminology and a variety of media.

Copyright 2004 Zart Art & Zart Education Service