Art design

Information:

Through hands-on activities, students will explore the styles of renowned artists including Picasso, Yayoi Kusama, Monet, Matisse, and Georges Seurat. Each lesson introduces an artist’s unique techniques and visual language, allowing students to experiment with a variety of media. By reinterpreting these master artworks in playful and age-appropriate ways, students develop creativity, fine motor skills, artistic confidence, and a deeper understanding of different art styles.

Day 1 - Picasso’s Cubist Animals

• Introduction to Pablo Picasso and Cubism (geometric shapes, bold colours, abstract forms).

• Demonstrate colour mixing & painting techniques using acrylic paint.

• Teach how to draw animals using geometric shapes.

• Students draw and cut out their animal base shape.

• Paint the animal base layer.

• On separate paper, students create textured painted sheets.

• Once dry, cut textured papers into geometric shapes.

• Arrange and glue shapes onto the animal to create a cubist collage.

Day 2 - Yayoi Kusama’s Polka Dot World (Jumping Clay Art)

• Introduction to Yayoi Kusama and her love for polka dots.

• Demonstrate how to use and shape jumping clay.

• Students choose a subject (pumpkin, flower, animal, etc.).

• Create the main 3D form using clay.

• Flatten clay and use straw tips to create small polka dots.

• Attach polka dots onto the sculpture.

• Optional: Create a simple background or mini display base.

• Allow artwork to dry.

Day 3 - Monet’s Water Lily Pond

• Introduction to Claude Monet and Impressionism.

• Discuss how Monet painted light and water.

• Apply glue onto cartridge paper for the pond base.

• Tear or cut coloured tissue paper.

• Layer tissue paper to create water texture and depth.

• Allow base to partially dry.

• Create water lilies using coloured tissue paper.

• Paste lilies onto pond surface.

• Final layering for added movement and effect.

Day 4 - Matisse Shapes & Print Play

• Introduction to Henri Matisse and his cut-out technique.

• Cut cartridge paper into bold abstract shapes.

• Sponge ink or paint onto a plastic sheet.

• Arrange paper shapes onto the inked surface.

• Place paper over and press to transfer the print.

• Lift to reveal printed shapes.

• Repeat with different colours for layered effects.

• Optional: Cut printed papers into new shapes and create a collage artwork.

Day 5 - Seurat’s Dot Painting

• Introduction to Georges Seurat and Pointillism.

• Show how images are formed using small dots.

• Students lightly draw a simple scene or subject.

• Paint a base layer if needed.

• Use cotton buds to apply paint in dot patterns.

• Layer different colours using dots.

• Fill entire artwork using the dot technique.

• Final reflection and sharing.

Materials Provided:

Acrylic Paints, Watercolour Paints, Brushes, Water Containers, Paper Palettes, Pencils & Erasers, Scissors, Coloured Tissue Papers, Cartridge Papers, Copier Paper, Double-sided Tape, Glue, Colour Markers, Colour Pencils, Jumping Clay, Clay Tools, Sponges

Min. 8 to run

Information:

In this programme, students develop a quiet focus as they explore how colour, shape, pattern, and form communicate ideas and emotions. They are encouraged to experiment with different media as a way of tuning into their unique visual language. To finish, students create a final mixed-media artwork, combining their newfound skills to consciously express their personal ideas and creative voice.

Day 1 - Painting Mood Through Colour

Students explore colour mixing and mood through abstract acrylic painting on a circular canvas. Using underpainting and intentional brushwork, they express emotions through a calm, reflective creative process.

• Students are introduced to basic colour theory, colour mixing, and how colours can communicate mood and emotion in abstract art.

• Students begin with an underpainting to establish mood and tonal direction, experimenting with loose brushwork and blended colours.

• Students mix their own colours and apply layers of paint, learning how colour relationships and transparency affect depth and atmosphere.

• Students experiment with different brush techniques to create texture and visual interest, responding intuitively to the developing artwork.

Day 2 - Shapes & Spaces : Negative Painting in Watercolour

Through a mindful approach to watercolour, students explore layering and negative painting to examine the relationship between form and space.

They reflect on how repeated motifs and the intentional use of negative space can communicate complex ideas and emotions.

• Students are introduced to wet-on-wet painting and negative painting, focusing on how water, pigment, and timing affect colour flow and softness.

• Students begin with a wet-on-wet background wash, experimenting with colour blending and organic transitions to establish atmosphere.

• Students select or design a simple repeated motif and consider how repetition can create rhythm and visual coherence.

• Students build their artwork by painting around the motifs, gradually defining shapes through the negative spaces rather than outlining forms directly.

• Students add layers to strengthen contrast, clarity, and depth, observing how overlapping washes enhance the overall composition.

Day 3 - Patterns & Symbols

Students engage in a meditative printing process to design a custom foam stamp using abstract or geometric shapes. By focusing on the rhythmic repetition of pattern and colour on a canvas tote bag, they mindfully explore how simple forms can communicate deep ideas and personal meaning.

• Students explore how simple shapes and repeated forms are used as visual symbols in art and design.

• Students sketch and cut abstract or geometric shapes from foam, focusing on clarity, simplicity, and repeatability.

• Foam shapes are mounted onto a base to create a reusable stamp.

• Students use sponges to apply acrylic paint evenly onto their stamps, experimenting with colour combinations.

• Students print their designs onto a canvas tote bag, exploring placement, rhythm, and pattern through repetition.

Day 4 - Shaping Ideas

Students practice creative mindfulness by intuitively moulding clay into shapes that express a specific mood or character. This process encourages a quiet focus on form and structure, allowing students to experience sculpture as a meaningful way to communicate ideas through the language of touch.

• Students will explore how shapes, forms, and motifs can convey meaning in three-dimensional art.

• They will start brainstorm personal ideas, emotions, or themes and translate them into simple shapes or symbols.

• Next, students will earn basic hand-building techniques and experiment with combining forms and textures.

• Start constructing their artwork, focusing on balance, proportion, and intentional form.

• Students refine their sculptures by adding texture, patterns, or details.

Day 5 - Microcosm: A Mixed Media Self-Expression

In this final project, students explore the theme Microcosm by combining multiple media to express their personal ideas and emotions. Integrating techniques learned throughout the programme, they create a meaningful artwork that reflects their unique creative voice.

• Students discuss the idea of a “microcosm” as a personal world that reflects their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

• Brainstorm ideas and select techniques from previous lessons, such as acrylic painting, printmaking, watercolour painting, and collage.

• Start building artwork through layering, combining materials and techniques to create depth and meaning.

• Refine compositions by adjusting colour, texture, and focal areas.

• Complete artwork with attention to balance, clarity, and personal expression.

Materials Provided:

Acrylic Paints, Watercolour Paints, Brushes, Water Containers, Paper Palettes, Pencils & Erasers, Scissors, Cartridge Papers, Watercolour Paper, Glue, Colour Markers, Colour Pencils, Jumping Clay, Clay Tools, Circular Canvas, Canvas Tote Bag

Min. 8 to run