Subject Areas
Drawing
Drawing is the base foundation requirement of all art projects. Each pupil is encouraged to work from primary sources and develop an analytical approach to visual observation and recording. Pupils should use and experience as many graphic materials as possible, - the basics of which are included in the Art Packs that they are supplied at the beginning of each year - experimenting with a combination of materials while developing their own language of recording.
Painting
Pupils will be expected to develop a knowledge and understanding of:
- Some of the following paint qualities - plasticity, opacity, translucence, malleability and transparency of the media
- The relationship between hues, tints, shades and tones
- The use of tools with which to apply paint, such as brushes, knives, sponges, fingers and rags
- Some of the following materials for drawing - graphite, wax crayon, oil pastel, soft pastel, charcoal, ink, chalk, conte crayon, paints and dyes
- Paints- acrylic, watercolour and oils.
Printmaking
Within the Printmaking area it is possible for pupils to produce a wide range of print methods including:
- Photo Polymer Etching
- Relief and Intaglio
- Monoprints
- Lino
- Collographs
- Silkscreen - Photo and stencil
Computers, Digital Photography & the Darkroom
Computers and digital photography are now used widely throughout the Art Department in all levels and age groups. We regard IT as a tool that facilitates options within a project and assists development. The equipment in the department is good with 6 iMacs in a purpose built computer suite that have their own independent server. They have their own network copier/printer, scanners and Wacom drawing tablet. They are able to access the internet. Adobe Photoshop is the primary software used along with iPhoto and iMovie. There is a small, basic darkroom in which we can print from B&W negatives, create rayograms, pinhole photography, cyanotypes and albumen prints. This is a growing area in art generally and is an area that we wish to expand.
Ceramics
Within Ceramics it is possible for pupils to produce a wide range of ceramic methods:
- Hand building techniques
- Mould making
- Slip casting
- Paper clay
- Sculptural ceramics
- Throwing
Added to this they pupils can use a variety of surface decoration methods ranging from:
- Slip colouring
- Oxides
- Sand blasting (under supervision)
- Lino printing
- Transfer Printing
- Glazing
The only limitation to consider is the size of the kilns.
Sculpture
Within Sculpture pupils can expect to:
- Produce objects in three dimensions, utilizing volume, space, materials and movement.
- Gain understanding about space, form and structure through visual analysis, abstracting, designing, documenting, drawing and making.
- Experience some of the following processes - fixing and joining materials such as card, metals and plastics using processes such as gluing, jointing, riveting, bolting and welding.
- Experience some of the following sculpting techniques - the manipulation of plastic materials such as clay, plaster, wax using hands or appropriate tools, carving, cutting, casting and mould making.
- Experience some of the following materials - wood, stone, plaster, leather, wire, clay, textiles, card, plastics, wax and found objects/materials.
- Explore spatial qualities in response to various influences.
Textiles
Within Textiles we have:
- Sewing Machines for embroidery
- Appliqué
- Dying
- Screen printing onto textiles
- Batik
- Felt making
Textiles are taught in a fine art manner with many of the outcomes involving falling under the banner of constructed textiles. In the past two years however the newly established Sewing Room has been a big success as an afternoon activity, unconnected to any syllabus requirements. This is an area that many pupils have expressed an interest in and is an endorsement of Art & Design that we could once again offered as an A Level choice.
With all of these technical options the ultimate aim is to develop an individual pupil language rather than a house style. Experimentation is the main key to any individual success and after initial introduction pupils can develop personal styles of representation. It is hoped that both figurative art and abstraction can coexist depending on the aims of the individual. If a pupil has several technical options it is possible to experiment and move between styles depending on the aims and objectives of the brief.