Jeepers Creepers

Megan M (S1, OLSP) took part in a Halloween Activity to draw what Munch’s Scream Boy was screaming at, in his style. She drew a big hairy spider… I’d scream too if I saw that coming towards me, on a pier.

Ed Sheeran Portrait Comp Winner

So, I started the Ed Sheeran Portrait Competition in the hope that I would receive one or two entries to show off to followers of The Art Classroom. I didn’t expect the amount of entries that were actually sent. It was a tough choice to shortlist them down to ten so that Ed could then finally pick the winner, though it had to be done. It was amazing seeing the variations of style and ideas in the entries and the only way I can possibly reward all those that entered is to say ‘thank you very much’. Your efforts did not go unnoticed.

After I’d chosen and published the shortlisted ten, I then tried to get in contact with Ed to pick a winner, though as you might be aware; Ed is a very busy boy. I tried reaching him through Facebook, Twitter, email and even through texting friends of friends and had given up hope of him judging the competition. Though I shouldn’t have been so skeptical, any of you who follow Ed will know that he is an extremely nice chap and would always try his best to help. I had heard in late October that Ed would look through the entries and judge the competition even though it was supposed to be his one night off at home. I was extremely grateful. I’m sure you can imagine that someone with his status now probably receives about one hundred requests a day like this asking for a little piece of his time. Though he took that time and looked closely at the ten shortlisted entries. I received an email from Ed at 11.55am on October 29th stating his winning choice. This is what the email stated:

 

“Number 7 rED should win x“

 

Number 7: ‘rED’ belongs to Abby McG from the West of Scotland, congratulations to her. The cds and the signed business card will be finding their way to you. Abby’s winning entry is displayed below. A truly worthy winner.

Comparing Ed’s choice with the open vote, it seems that the readers of The Art Classroom have similar tastes to Ed. They chose No.7 – rED too, giving it over 25% of the votes. Well Done Abby!

Save Birks Cinema Postcard Auction

I wonder if some unfortunate will bid for my postcard?

It’s In The Can

Lucy M (S6, OLSP) has been working on the first few sheets of her Advanced Higher. Her theme is based around urban destruction and renewal. Focusing on the textures of crumpled cans, walls and subversive advertising, she aims to create a perfume or an aftershave influenced by street culture. Above; the first sheet of her project without type and annotations, below; the street sticker Lucy has created to advertise her brand.

Sammy M Wins Respect Me Performance Award

Congratulations to Sammy M, Laura O’D and Nathan B. Laura and Nathan gave Sammy a hand filming and creating props to help her win the performance section of Respect Me’s Anti Bullying Competition 2011 with her film ‘Avatar’. Here it is:

Saving Birks Cinema

I’d been asked by a friend to provide a custom made postcard for the postcard auction in Aberfeldy to ‘Save Birks Cinema‘. The postcards, created by amateurs and professionals, will be auctioned off to raise money to hopefully rebuild the cinema. I thought I’d do something a little tongue in cheek by showing my love/hate relationship with the cinema. The boy is cynically remarking how he’s glad he saved the cinema, even though girls around him are on their mobile phones and throwing popcorn. Just so you know, the film they’re watching is ‘Jaws’.

 

http://www.birkscinemafriends.org.uk/

Lillias & The Puffin

Lillias H chose a puffin as her animal theme for her Standard Grade Lighting Design unit. After initial investigation drawings, she experimented with materials to create a piece of lighting for Edinburgh Zoo. As you can see, Lillias’ development page includes cheap Ikea lights to show her experiments with opacity and colour and her final sheet displays her design in light and dark, showing off her use of fiber optics. This was a project I had tried with S4 Intermediate a few years ago. I was worried that it would not be possible for S3 Standard Grade, that the techniques and materials would be too complex and that the time frame would be too short to complete. Lillias shows that I was entirely wrong to doubt her. Beautiful work.

Ed Sheeran Portrait Competition Shortlist

It’s taken me a while to get through all the entries and thank you to all who took the time to enter. I’ve finally shortlisted the portrait entries down to ten. The ten entries below will be named and shown off after the final judging decision has been made, as to not influence the choice through name, area or age. I will also add a poll below if you would like to tell me which art piece you prefer. It will not sway the judge’s decision, though it’ll be interesting to see if you agree with it. The Art Classroom’s Ed Sheeran Portrait Competition Shortlist follows (in no particular order):

1. ColourED

2. SketchED

3. IconifiED

4. One EyED

5. DarkenED

6. PawED

7. rED

8. ImaginED

9. TiED

10. PerformED

The winner will be notified here and directly when the Judge’s decision has been made. Below you can participate in the voting poll to let everyone know which Ed Sheeran portrait you prefer.

Halloween Is Coming On

As a little Halloween treat, to get us all into the spirit of things, I have re-edited the original Halloween Special Art Clast episode to be a little speedier and more to the point. Have a watch and get inspired.

Avatar

The above video is a joint collaboration between Sammy M, myself, Miss McInnes, Nathan B and Laura O’D. A few S2 pupils were involved too, to help build props. The whole thing was arranged, filmed and edited within three days (three lunch periods and a few free periods of class time). Sammy M came up with the narrative and the character was based on a earlier painting she had created for the Aesthetica competition. Nathan B and Laura O’D are active members of the OLSP Film Making Club. The short is a three minute representation of someone suffering from cyber bullying for the Respect Me Scotland competition. I hope you enjoy it, even though it is based around a pretty heavy subject, it still is very rewarding to watch.