The IGCSE Art & Design students worked hard to complete their first finished pieces, then selected the themes they will be using this year in the creation of their portfolios.
Now we are enjoying a series of fun mini-lessons, chosen by the students, that will broaden their experiences and help them decide whether to pursue Painting and Related Media for their coursework, or perhaps one of the other areas of study.
We began with a collagraphy demo, using the tabletop printing press to capture the textures of various collaged items. This week, we practiced how to hold a 毛笔–a traditional Chinese brush–and how to control the flow of water and ink to create different qualities of line on rice paper. Students learned that the impressionistic style of Chinese painting is deceptively simple; the masters make it look easy, but in reality it takes years of practice. What elegant studies these turned out to be! These newly discovered skills will also apply when working with Western watercolor techniques.
The newest mini-lesson takes on 3D construction techniques. We are discovering what we can do with plaster casting and how to paint small frescoes into the plaster while it is wet. Stay tuned for more!
