In Art lessons, Year 7 have been producing some fantastic responses to recent work based on the 7 Elements of Art. They have studied the visual elements of Colour, Line, Tone, Texture, Form, Shape and Space. These elements underpin the basics for all art and design. It has been fabulous to see Year 7 Art students already developing the skills to recognise these and they are beginning to use them confidently in their work. Their recent task has included drawing a set of reflective glass marbles, concentrating on refining their pencil skills in basic shape, form and tonal blending. They have also studied the application of colour blending with skills being developed in creating smooth colour gradients with pencil crayons. The Art Department are very proud of the results! We have some exciting talent emerging, which we are sure you will agree from these photos of student’s work.

Mrs Gerrard

Art Department

Within KS4 Art and Design, those students studying for their GCSE have really impressed us with their summer work. Students have undertaken research tasks in Year 10 and have made an excellent effort to kick-start their GCSE coursework. Work has included some fantastic artist research pages and some very impressive title pages alongside good examples of drawing.

Year 11 students have shown incredible commitment to their ongoing coursework as they are now immersed in their major project for submission next Spring. Over the summer they have completed some absolutely fantastic drawings in pencil, some of which have clearly taken hours and hours. We are very proud of the resilience and ambition shown in our Art students producing such detailed and time-consuming drawings.

We are looking forward to another year of amazing coursework being produced as our current Art students, and new Art students in Year 10, continue their fantastic commitment to the subject.

Mrs Gerrard

Teacher of Art and Design

 

Below, you can view a small sample of some of the summer homework that was produced independently. We are sure that you will agree it is very impressive!

I have just completed my second placement here at PGHS in the Art department. I have had a wonderful experience and I’ve loved getting to know the students and staff. With my year 7 classes, we have embarked on a toy project inspired by the work of Michael Craig Martin with some brilliant outcomes. We have since moved on to creating some coral pods out of clay inspired by our trip to the aquarium; the students have got some really interesting textures and beautifully crafted pieces. With my year 8 class, we have worked on painting final pieces for their portraiture project, with students showing some fantastic end results. We have just begun a cells textiles project and the students are already showing promising results. In my year 9 classes, we completed our animal eye project using a wide range of media with the students showing real skill and bravery by experimenting with new media. They have since begun work on a graffiti and street art topic with some lively debates about the place for graffiti and street art in our society. My year 10 class has finished off their natural forms project with some wonderful final pieces inspired by the work of Laly Mille. They have since moved on to their extended project and the group have made a really promising start. With our year 11 group, I was lucky enough to be able to support them in the lead-up to their exams and the results from the exam were really exciting to look at. Well done, girls!

Thank you so much to all the students and staff for making me feel so welcome in the school. A special thank you to the Art and Technology department for all your help and support!

Here are some lovely examples of KS3 students’ work.

Miss Williams

Student Teacher

Year 11 Photographers have concluded their Compent 2 Exams this term.  Preparing since January 2023, they have worked exceptionally hard and have made a fantastic effort in their 10 hour practical assignment. Here are some of their outcomes.  All student portfolios can be seen live through our Art & Photography website:  https://gmorris85penworthamgirls.weebly.com/

Miss Morris

Lead Teacher of Art and Photography

As part of our GCSE Photography coursework, students have been learning about non-camera photography and have been researching the work of botanist Anna Atkins and Man Ray’s extensive range of photograms.  Using pressed natural forms and acetate negatives, we have been experimenting with the process of cyanotypes.  

Here are some examples of our work so far: 

Miss Morris

Head of Art, Design and Photography

As part of the Year 7 Art Scheme of Learning, we have covered the work of Sarah Graham and her hyper-realistic approach to oil painting.  

Sarah Graham is a British painter and has exhibited at independent galleries and art fairs across the UK and overseas.  

Sarah often uses bright and vivid subject matter such as lollipops, confectionary and toys to create her beautiful canvases.  Embracing technology, she often records her paintings using time-lapse photography.   

These fascinating videos are available to watch online: 

Miss Morris

Head of Art & Design and Photography

For the first time in 3 years, due to the pandemic, our GCSE Art and Design and Photography exams will recommence with the preparatory phase starting from January 2023. 

All our Year 11 students have been briefed on the 7 starting points in the papers and are about to embark on 4 months of developing their projects ready for their 10 hour exams in late April.  We wish all our Year 11 students the best of luck as they begin their research.

Miss Morris

Head of Art & Design and Photography