Year 11’s Art and Soul
In uncertain times like these, putting the creative lens on our surroundings is a great way of keeping our spirits alive and our feelings united, as Ms Sinclair and Ms Carson’s Year 11 students have discovered.
This semester, Ms Carson and Ms Sinclair’s Year 11 Visual Arts students have been perfecting the art of portraiture. They began working on their individual artworks before lockdown (students pictured above working on their artworks in the Studio at Wenona in Term 2) but have continued to work on them and refine them from home.
“In their study of Portraiture, Year 11 Visual Arts students have learned a range of techniques across different drawing mediums, including graphite and charcoal. In practising their observational and technical skills, students completed a graphite drawing of Jon Snow, enabling them to master a grid drawing technique,” explained Ms Sinclair. “This was followed by an initial charcoal drawing on A1 size Stonehenge paper of a chosen celebrity, where they developed their skills and understanding of sfumato drawing conventions.”
“Upon completion of this foundational task, students investigated the concept, significant, to photograph and then draw, in either graphite or charcoal, a person of significance to them using dramatic chiaroscuro lighting.”
“Subjects were deeply personal and ranged from sisters and brothers, to mothers, fathers, grandparents, and friends, showing the far-reaching connections the students share with those most special in their lives.”
“The students should be very proud of their achievements, particularly considering the challenges that came with drawing remotely and setting up an ‘online art studio’ from home,” said Ms Carson.
Students worked closely with Ms Carson and Ms Sinclair, constantly receiving feedback via Zoom sessions and utilising One Note to document their progress. The girls were able to work collaboratively with each other through breakout rooms on Zoom, to share ideas and skills mastered, such as how to draw hair.
A class Padlet has been created, serving as a ‘virtual gallery’ until the artworks can be exhibited on the walls of the Judith Dey Gallery, when we return to School.