Welcome to KS3 Art
Hi, I’m Anne Potter and I Teach Art for pupils in years 7 – 9 at the secondary phase.
Creativity thrives in a nourishing environment and our students spontaneously express themselves as individuals.
In year 7 we explore a range of 2D and 3D activities with emphasis on experimenting and enjoying. We examine colour theory and colour mixing then apply what we have learned to a painting and to a design project. Drawing lessons include analysis of shape and form, figures in action and rudimentary illustration. Students may learn basic sewing skills and then be given the opportunity to use a sewing machine. Other topics may include paper manipulation, weaving, totem poles, imaginary animals and some portrait work.
Year 8 students consider the whole field of art and the elements of art. We then use the elements of art; line, colour and composition to analyse artworks and to create our own abstract paintings. Students further their drawing skills exploring a wider range of techniques and media. Other activities may include; gesture drawing and 3D models, Aborigine inspired art, mosaic and silkscreen.
In year 9 we lay the foundations for GCSE Art with an overview of the history of art culminating with the inception and emergence of ‘modern’ art. Students are given an opportunity to explore these ideas and styles with applied practical projects along the way. Students apply techniques used by early western artists to create ‘realism’ in art, including measuring and using a grid. Other topics include Impressionism, Post Impressionism and the social and technological changes that brought about a new way of seeing. Thus students gain an appreciation of the wide breadth of artistic styles available today including Surrealism, Fauvism, Naïve art through to contemporary practices. This helps give students a broad infrastructure from which to explore context (one of the four assessment objectives) in their upcoming GCSE work.
Students also work on larger scale, extended projects with a format in keeping with GCSE work; including contextual studies, research, experimentation and development using multiple media and techniques leading to a final outcome or outcomes. This helps them to feel at home with what will be expected of them at GCSE level.
