Answers Of The Week

I normally ask my students a weird question to think about until I see them again. Some of them almost immediately forget, some of them need to be reminded, some of them ask about it, some of them really sit and think about the answer, but few actually research it and return to me with a written answer. Eimer M and Rebecca D (S1, OLSP) kindly provided me with their answers written down. I was so surprised and amazed by their answers that I had to feature them here. They researched my gross but interesting colour theory question; ‘Why are bogeys always green?’

I’m sure this was a shock for their parents when they were signing off this homework, but I am totally grateful to the two girls for their enthusiasm and interest. I can’t wait to get their points of view from some of my other ‘TOTW’ questions. Well done Eimer & Rebecca!

In Paula’s Hands

Unfortunately due my laziness, the blog has fallen into a bit of a slump. I thought I should kick start it back on track with some great skill from Paula A H (S3, OLSP High) who’s work from home was featured two weeks ago. Paula has been working on analytical drawings of her own hands (one with her drawing hand, the other with her non-drawing hand (above)), and a pastel study as an alternative to  portraiture.

Paula’s skill is very obvious, even in her pastel piece that is still to be finished. Paula starts off the piece by drawing an outline of the shapes, she then adds highlighted blobs of colour to build up the form. When using pastel it is advisable to work from light to dark colours as it is easy to cover a white pastel with black, but impossible to cover a black pastel with white.

Really beautiful work. I’ll update this post when the piece has been finished. Well Done Paula.

No Fail Fail

A fabulous artwork of the week this week, from Oban High School. Anna C took part in the day workshop for the Young Brits At Art competition and was able to create these marvelous mixed media piece. It’s mostly painted in Acrylics with ripped paper, sharpies and a little touch of stenciling too.

Anna’s idea came to her when she was thinking about the pressures in her own life. There is so much responsibility on youth to succeed and achieve. Most permanently live their life in the spotlight, whether it be with online presence or through successes, there seems to be a lot more importance on ‘status’ with young people than there used to be when I was growing up.

Anna’s use of the word ‘FAIL’ is no accident, it symbolises failure to succeed in exams, in life and with image, presence and status. It is a common internet term that is usually used to sum up something that has gone terribly wrong for someone, though onlookers are invited to laugh at the situation and to revel in the failure.

Such a marvellous piece, dramatic, meaningful, of the moment and lingering. I wish Anna all the best in the competition.

Think Of The Week 21: Extremophiles In Space

Think Of The Week 20:

Think Of The Week 18: Contagious Yawning

Think Of The Week 17: World Reset

Think Of The Week 16: A Happy Life

Think Of The Week 15: Aeroplane Meals

Wait No Longer

This week’s Artwork of the Week comes from a Primary Teaching Student at the University of Glasgow. Miss Quigley created the short animation below at home. This gritty and quite realistic animation was shot using a Sony digital camera, then the photos were processed through iStop Motion, with sounds and editing completed in iMovie.

The short focuses on the people who are left behind after war, it shows us that it is not just those that are involved in the war, but those connected, who feel a greater impact through hurt and loss. The figure of the lead woman waiting on her loved one is extremely successful, her clothes look of the period and flow and move realistically, her proportions are more real than that usually seen in animations and she reacts well within the scenery, with the lighting and with each prop.

A beautifully created masterpiece with visuals and emotions that stay with you long after the film has finished.