At COLAHH we believe that everyone can achieve success in Art because Art skills and techniques can be taught and learnt!
The Art Department offers students opportunities to explore and develop their own ideas; to learn about different artists from a range of time periods and cultures; to experiment with a range of fine art materials and processes; and to create personal responses to themes.
Curriculum
YEAR 7 – The focus in Year 7 is on the Formal Elements because these are the creative building blocks that are essential for creating any type of artwork. Students learn about tone, texture, composition, perspective, line, shape, form and pattern, and apply this knowledge to their art work. They learn to draw from direct observation using a range of mark-making and tonal techniques, how to draw using perspective and about colour theory. Students look at a range of artists and are also encouraged to be imaginative and to develop their ideas throughout the course.
YEAR 8 – The theme for Year 8 is Portraiture. Students learn about the history of portraiture in art and look at the work of a range of contemporary portrait artists which are used as inspiration for their work. Students spend the first part of the academic year learning different techniques for accurately drawing realistic facial features and measuring facial proportions. This knowledge is then applied to a Self-Portrait drawn from direct observation. Students learn how to mix and apply paint and design and create an imaginative and personal background.
YEAR 9– In Year 9 the theme is Modern Art Movements. Students learn about the historical context of selected Art movements from the 1860s onwards and look at the work of a range of artists exploring the different imagery, materials, techniques and processes used by these artists. Students experiment with some of the techniques used by artists from different art movements and create their own art work in response to these artists. The year 9 curriculum is designed to lead into the Art GCSE course and students will begin to cover the assessment objectives used in KS4.
Homework
Homework is set in alternate lessons so the books can be collected and marked regularly. Tasks range from drawing and shading objects to designing and researching ideas. The school marking policy is used for homework and the teacher writes a comment and a target which helps students to further improve their work.
CURRICULUM ENRICHMENT
Art Club, once a week after school is very popular and regularly attended. Students can use this time to enter art competitions, experiment with different materials, practise techniques and finish class or homework.
The Art Department arranges trips to art galleries and museums which relate to the projects being covered.