Inhibitions were shed by artists from Years 3-7 as they participated in a life-drawing session yesterday and were inspired by session leader Samira Harris and life model Jo (who was decorously dressed, parents will be glad to hear!). After being encouraged to let go and be free with both their drawing technique and their use of mixed media, the music struck up, the model struck her pose and the dancing started... each set of drawings was produced in no longer than one song's duration and were presented in several media, often all mixed together: the swish of a feather's blade dipped in ink, the drum of wax sticks being rolled across the paper, the splat of a decorator's paintbrush loaded with watercolour, the glide of an oil pastel. Several kilometres of paper and a playlist of "Happy" and "Crazy" later, pupils of all ages had produced dozens of artworks remarkable for their fluidity and originality. All hail, the Newton Prep Picassos!
"It was amazing," commented art teacher Jane Aspeling. "We have one child who, while a very talented draughtsman, is very tight in his technique and very controlled, often getting upset if he doesn't finish a piece on time or to his exacting standards. Watching him let go and really start to have fun with his brush or crayon or feather was terrrific: by the end of the session, he had produced some fantastic pieces, awash with colour and movement."
Completed artworks are now hanging down the walls of the stairwell.
To have a short glimpse of how each session went, please click on the video below. For more photos, click here
