Artists: Year 6 students, 2020
Medium: Painting
Inspired by artist Giulia Bernardelli, Year 6 students explored painting techniques using a variety of media found at home; such as coffee, herbs, jam and food dye.
With emphasis on producing light, mid and dark tones, they engaged in the painting processes of layering, blending and the ‘wet on dry’ technique. The students used found objects as painting ‘tools’ to create marks and visual textures.
Throughout the painting activities, they reflected on the effectiveness of their chosen media and painting methods; and their use of space, balance and tone within their compositions.
The artwork in this exhibition was produced during a period of off-campus learning.
Click on an image to enlarge it.
The artistic process
Here, six student artists explain the thought and creative processes they used to develop their artwork.
“I used pattern and line to create a botanical image using cotton tips, coffee & food dye.”
Alexander
“I really enjoyed this task… I added more water to create the lighter tones and thicker texture for the darker tones… With the paprika, it was harder to create the light and dark tones because the ratio wasn’t quite right.”
Grace
“I have really enjoyed working with coffee art because it’s just like painting…I would really like to do this again.”
Jesse
“I used the art elements of line and pattern to make the branches of the trees… to make a tree you use the same lines and strokes.”
Kaylene
“I call this piece “A reminder”. This is because it shows that if something were to happen to nature, it would sting everything around it, permanently (as far as I know, coffee doesn’t come off easily). I used sticky tape in the middle to rip a hole when it was wet; I ripped it a tiny bit at a time. Then, I grabbed 2 pieces of paper (so that it wouldn’t stain) and put my main piece. Finally, I used cotton buds to add some texture to the stain.”
Nathan
“For my artwork, I choose to do a tree. I used black and green food dye as my medium and the tools I used were a toothbrush and a birthday candle! I tried to do tonal rendering and I also displayed foreground, midground and background”
Toby
