Here are a selection of AccessArt posts which can be used to inspire a creative lead up to Christmas and the festive season.
Please feel free to add links to other resources, or share your experiences and ideas, via the comments box below.
If you are a member of AccessArt please use this form if you would like to suggest a visual arts planning topic that you would like help with. You can see all of the current topics in our visual arts planning series here.
Seasonal Drawings: Observation, Composition and Colour
Taking inspiration from drawing cakes, AccessArt explores how to develop observation, composition and colour to make, beautiful seasonal drawings. These drawings were made over three, one hour long sessions.
Decorated Paper Bowls
Children aged 6 to 10 work with Paula Briggs to bring together their drawing and making skills to make Christmas bowls!
Winter Still Life
Teenagers, from AccessArt’s Experimental Drawing Class, explored building a layered drawing of a winter still life, during a one and a quarter hour session, on a dark, December evening.
Snowflakes
Artist Melissa Pierce Murray leads a festive workshop in which teenagers explore the shapes of snowflakes, then use these experiments to decorate Christmas cookies with designs in icing and egg tempura.
Composite Still Life Studies in Candlelight
With winter’s dark and long nights comes the perfect time of year to explore light and dark in drawing.
Fruit Pinch Pot Project
Ceramicist Rachel Dormor shares a workshop idea suitable for primary or secondary aged children. Working in clay, pupils take their inspiration from drawings of fruit to make simple pinch pot mugs.
Lino Printing Christmas Cards
A useful resource which explores how to use lino printing to make seasonal greeting cards.
Making Felt Sailing Boats by Ruth Purdy
Artist educator Ruth Purdy uses colourful felt in a project sewing boats with adults in care.
Drawing Flames
Guided drawing exercises with Sheila Ceccarelli, exploring mark making to the rhythm of a burning flame.
Painting on Glass
Paula Briggs works with children exploring painting on glass to create hanging roundels with a winter theme.
A fun end of term school project that would also be perfect to do at home – making model Santas with character! Jan Miller share a process to make 3D model Santas using simple materials and processes.
Eraser Printmaking with Morag Thomson Merriman
Artist Morag Thomson Merriman describes how to use erasers for effective and fun printmaking on the kitchen table.
