Dear Artists and families,
This term we have delved into the wondrous world of PAINT! We have experimented with watercolour, gouache and a variety of acrylic mediums.
Term 3 has seen a joyous output of colourful creations:
- We made the most diverse and marvellous chandeliers. The chandelier rings were decorated with acrylic paint pens, and then hung with gems, beads and pearls. They were spectacular!
- In a “Bob Ross” style tutorial, the students painted a beach scene with medium bodied acrylic paint, learning about how much, or little, paint to use; blending colours; making shadows; using sponges to create effects.
- Students painted on glass jars using glass paints, attached a wick, then poured melted wax to make a candle in the jar.
- We made “scrape paintings.” Using flow acrylics and scrapers, students explored the behaviour of the thinner style of acrylic as they scraped it across the paper, and also the way in which the translucency influenced the overlapping of colours. This was also a lesson in colour theory.
- The “squashdot” paintings, using heavy bodied acrylics, were fun to make and very colourful! These were made by sandwiching paint dots between watercolour paper and a clear acetate sheet and then controlling the paint by gently pressing on the acetate.
- The scrape paintings and squashdots were ‘tryouts,’ adding to our ideas in deciding how we would decorate our timber faced clocks. Students decided on their own mode of painted decoration- and those clocks looked fabulous! An aspect of this activity considered the importance and benefits of undercoating.
- On a timber and wire frame, each student shape five “rocks” out of airdrying clay, to make a sculpture. This exercise focussed on using metallic acrylic paints- both wet and drybrushed.
- Quirky, carefully painted plant pots and bases were decorated using a type of acrylic paint that is formulated for use outdoors. Again, the advantages of undercoating were discussed, and also the aim of creating a “set” by matching the designs of pot and dish in some way.
- Self-portraits: we traced our images onto an acetate sheet, using an alcohol ink pen, then coloured the image from the back using medium bodied acrylic paint and acrylic paint pens. As if it wasn’t amazing enough, we then decorated its frame! Impressive work!!
- The “intuitive artworks” were fun and relaxing to make. This was an exercise in relieving ourselves of the pressures of self-expectation, to clear our minds and just let our hands do the mark-making. After experimenting with many different approaches to the canvas, eventually, we were able to start making decisions about our art, with regard to balance and composition. An added surprise for gallery attendees, was the revelation of fluorescent paint on the canvasses, under black light!
- Butterflies, beetles and doughnuts… this was a fun activity which focussed on the different properties of water colour and also gouache paints. Students created lovely framed art.
We’re sure you all enjoyed the Gallery exhibition, presented to you by your young artists!
Thankyou for your support of LimeDoor this term, and your generous comments about our program!
We hope you have a relaxing school holiday!
Kind regards,
Catherine and the LimeDoor team