Gower College Thursday the 9th of June 2011

On Thursday morning we visited The Gower College to work with ESOL learners. Although challenging, due to the difference in language it was also extremely interesting.

Firstly we explored the way in which you can clarify line by constructing printing plates. Most students used scenes from Swansea including the beach and harbour but one student designed her own theme.

We then took a whole print of the plate in one colour. Following this we then asked them to divide up their printing plates as we then used each segment for printing with various coloured inks to print with.

During the second session we took them outside to draw their surrounding landscape, challenging them to draw without looking at the paper. We then experimented with various watercolour techniques, using different sized brushes and varying amounts of water.

A great experience :)

Emma Simmonds

1000 Colours Blue

Good news - we have just been told that the Arts Council of Wales will fund the '1000 Colours Blue' performance in Castle Gardens square 1st Oct!!!!!

cat

Oriel Bach

Just had response from Oriel Bach in the Mumbles about our planned post card show - they are up for it so it's booked. I am going to sort out the tearing in half cards this week too, due to open Oct 1st!

Catrin

Sea View Primary School Thursday the 19th of May 2011 Day 2

There were less children taking part today as many were off doing other activities, so we worked with years 2, 3,4 which was much easier. We all did some looking exercises and some watercolour painting, not to mention collecting colours for Catrin to mix and then put on her painting.

Sea View Primary School Wednesday the 18th of May 2011Day 1

Today was a muggy start, and a drive up a very dark and dreary Townhill, visibility was about a foot, sea view there was not! We started with the youngest groups and did some 'big draw' story drawing with charcoal and rubbers, all got very messy but just about managed to stay dry. The weather cleared by the time we got to our last class of the day, therefore we were able to do the planned exercises. We used the warm up (finding your viewfinder) then moved on to clip board drawing of horizon lines and on inside to printing the skies. From this the children then coloured in the rest from memory. We are back with Sea View tomorrow so we have been able to leave most of our kit there ready for tomorrow’s classes.

I felt it was easier to work with the younger students, as they were more willing to listen and to contribute ideas and comments. Whereas the older ones were more easily bored with the simplistic activities and slow pace requiring patience that not all had.

We did have some real super stars today, and got help between groups from a number of children, so we would like to say a big thank you to you!

here are some picture from the 1st day:

St Helens Primary School Friday the 13th of May 2011

For our third workshop we went to St Helens Primary where once again a team of four of us alongside Catrin took six classes, from reception to year 6.

Although very windy, the weather stayed dry and we were able to use the playground for both exercises and drawing within groups.

With all the classes today we started with the two looking exercises out in the playground, moving through to initial drawings on paper and then onto postcards. We then moved indoors to cut the postcards, creating templates followed by using paint to print the sky on each. The children very much enjoyed using the paint and the different effects you could get when using both blue and white.

During lunch break and throughout the afternoon Catrin started her painting, the children were both fascinated watching, many asking questions while others played in the van! As the photographs show they had a great time!

All the children seemed to be very engaged with what they were doing, which resulted in some fantastic artwork! Year four were especially well behaved and produced some great postcards.

Emma Simmonds :)