GCSE High Quality Visual Arts Workshops
My GCSE programme offers a range of high quality visual arts workshops that help your pupils achieve their best exam result.
I charge £110.00 for half day or part thereof, £220 for a full day.
These costs relate to groups of 20 pupils or less. Additional pupils will have to pay £5.00 for half-day sessions and £10.00 for full day sessions.
Creative Industries: making a living as an artist
An 80 minute illustrated talk on how visual artists and craftspeople survive within the 'Creative Industries'. Pupils will learn about the range of careers and life strategies that artists adopt as they negotiate their way between staying true to their vision and paying the bills, A shorter version can be tied to any of the workshops below if your timetable allows for it.
Indian Ink and Chinese Brush Painting
Using Chinese brushes and Indian ink pupils will be introduced to three aspects of Chinese brush painting; brush as a point, broken bristle and wash. Then using a combination of diluted tonal washes the pupils will produce a black and white painting. Indian Ink examples
Duration: 2/3 period block
Materials: One photocopied image relating to students' theme, Two pieces of A4 cartridge paper, biro pen. Arts Creative provides brushes, ink and specialist paper.
Intaglio Drypoint Colour Theory
Drypoint is the most accessible intaglio process. Pupils prepare a clear Acetate plate prior to the school visit by placing it over a photograph or drawing and then scoring the surface with a sharp point such as a compass or scribing tool. You can see an instruction video here. Tonal areas should be hatched and cross hatched creating a texture that will hold ink. Texture makes tone in this process so the more texture the darker the tone. Leave white areas unscored. See some Drypoint examples
During the session pupils will learn how to prepare their paper for printing, ink and polish their plate, then create variations in colour based on complimentary and triadic combinations. Arts Creative provide four table top presses for these activities which can be used alongside the Art Department press if one is available.
Duration: Half-Day ( at least 3 hours )
Materials provided by Arts Creative: A5 polycarbonate plate, printing inks, A5 sheets of dampened 220gms cartridge paper.
Charcoal Drawing
Using the drawings of George Seurat as inspiration, pupils will learn how to create a tonal drawing utilising the texture of specialist paper. They will learn how to use a charcoal pencil to create soft gradations from light to dark tones. See some Charcoal Drawing examples.
Duration: 2’3 period block
Materials: One photocopied image relating to students' theme. Arts Creative provides pencils, carbon paper and specialist paper.
Transparent Drawing Lite
Taking the surrealistic drawings of Francis Picabia as a starting point, this workshop will allow students to explore layering techniques and creative composition. They can use the media they are most confident in. Students will be able to utilise the skills in future class work and at home. View some Transparent Drawing images.
Duration: 2, 3 or 4 period period block.
Materials: Two or more photocopies relating to students' theme, One piece of A4 cartridge paper, biro pen, students favoured media (pastels, coloured pencils, paint etc.)
Transparent Drawing on Fabric
An experimental development on Transparent Drawing using food colouring as a medium and working on fabric (supplied by Arts Creative). Students will be able to utilise the skills in future class work and at home. View some Transparent Drawing on fabric images.
Duration: Double or triple period block.
Materials: Two or more photocopies relating to students' theme, One piece of A4 cartridge paper, biro pen.
Graphic Novel Illustration
Working from their own photographs, student create illustrations in the style of graphic novels using markers. Sample images here
Duration: Double or triple period block.
Materials and equipment: Pupils will need to have an A4 printout of a black and white photograph. All other materials provided by Arts Creative
Pointillist Prints
Working from high contrast images, student create relief plates using this innovative technique. Additionally students learn how to ink their plate and print it by hand so that the can practice the techniques at home. View some Pointillist Print images
Duration: Double or triple period block.
Materials and equipment: Rollers, sharp pencil, a range of smooth A4 papers of different colours and thicknesses up to 220gms. A4 high contrast B&W image (Faces work really well). Arts Creative will provide HD Press-print sheets and quality water-based relief inks
Experimental Monoprint
An experimental approach for colour theory whilst creating dramatic prints relating to students' themes. View some Experimental Monoprint examples
Duration: Double or triple period block.
Materials: Silhouettes relating to pupils theme. Pre-cutting these ensures a greater production of prints on the day. Arts Creative provides all other materials
Repeat Pattern Relief Printing
An introduction to repeat pattern that enables pupils to create an relief plate from which they can create flowing patterns on paper or fabric. View some Repeat Pattern examples
During the session pupils will learn how to create a plate suitable for repeat pattern printing using two images from their project theme. Arts Creative provides most materials but it is useful for schools to have water-based relief ink available on the day and for continued use of the plate post workshop.
Duration: Triple period block or half day.
Materials:
School provides an A6 image of an object related to the pupil’s theme. A3 cartridge paper. Fabric such as calico if textile printing is needed
Arts Creative provides 10x14cm Fomex sheet, rollers, inks, scribes.
Cost: see top of page.