By Mostyn de Beer

Mostyn de Beer is an experienced artist educator based in Sweden. Mostyn is especially interested in environmental art; his practise investigates links between creating art and environmental education. In this post Mostyn shares a recent project he facilitated with the aim of connecting children to gardening through art.

If you missed other posts in the series, you can find them here.

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AccessArt is a UK Charity and we believe everyone has the right to be creative. AccessArt provides inspiration to help us all reach our creative potential.

What We Like About This Resource….

“The research phase of a creative project can be presented in many different ways, and can even be an art form in itself. Here, Tatyana demonstrates how her sketchbooks became a medium through which she expressed her thoughts, refined her ideas and explored materials. We believe sketchbooks to be a powerful tool for children to take ownership of their ideas and travel on their own creative journey, without necessarily knowing the destination. Take a look at our sketchbook journey for more sketchbook inspiration” – Rachel, AccessArt.

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Sketchbooks and Thinking Skills

Sketchbooks for Designers – an Introduction for Children

Using Sketchbooks to Take Ownership of Ideas

What We Love About This Resource…

So often, we hear talk of the distinction between science and art, and no more so when teenagers proceed through their education and they are encouraged to choose one route or another. In reality, creative thinking helps scientific understanding and a scientific approach can inform and inspire art.

It’s so refreshing to read and see Merlin’s experience and understand how she works between these two areas – in her words “mixing subjects, and seeing how they work and intersect is where inventions take place!“

We also love the way her work embraces the felt world of being human, as well as the known world. We’re sure many young people will find Merlin’s work of interest and reassuring when they are pressured to choose “art or science“. 

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Drawing for Learning

Drawing as a Way of Understanding

Drawing as a Way of Understanding

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Assessment & Progression

Mind the Gap Between the National Curriculum in Art for Primary Schools & Ofsted

See This Resource Used In Schools…

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Rethinking our Approach to Assessment & Progression in Primary School

The words “assessment” and “progression” have become very loaded in recent times, and there is increasing pressure on teachers to treat art like other curriculum areas. The reality is art is a unique subject and if we are to truly enable creativity in schools then we need to rethink our approach to assessment and progression. Read More

What We Like About This Resource…

“This is a great activity for really tuning into colour and shape. The process is ultimately quite a refined one (ie making a pattern balanced and repeated ‘correctly’) – but there’s plenty of scope for exploring pattern in a more experiential way prior to the refinement page. Try one of the recommended resources below to introduce pattern and begin with some open ended activities to build skill and confidence.” – Andrea, AccessArt

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Pathway: Exploring pattern

This is featured in the ‘Exploring Pattern’ pathway

Talking points: Andy Gilmore

talking points: Louise Despont

Inspired by Rachel Parker

Teachers Explore Pattern, Shape and Texture

Block Printing Repeat Patterns

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Pathway: Music and art

This is featured in the ‘Music and Art’ pathway

Pathway: Playful Making

This resource is features in the ‘Playful Making’ pathway

Manipulating Paper

Cardboard Sculptures

The Chair and Me

What We Like About This Resource….

“This activity walks through a number of different processes and taps into multiple skills.This provides a rich exploratory project for children to fully immerse themselves in. Cezanne was the focus artist for this project, but other contemporary still life painters could be used as starter inspiration. We actually advocate showing the work of more than one artist as this builds knowledge of how approaches to painting, drawing etc differ. This also helps children move towards a personal response rather than creating a ‘copy’ of one particular artist’s work” – Rachel, AccessArt

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Pathway: Exploring Still Life

This is featured in the ‘Explore Still Life’ pathway

Talking Points: Paul Cezanne

talking points: Contemporary still life

talking points: Flemish and Dutch Still Life Painters

What We Like About This Resource….

“It’s great to see a different approach to thinking about remembrance day. These peg soldiers are a refreshing alternative to artwork inspired by poppies. The processes involved encourage children to focus on fine motor skills: wrapping embroidery thread around the peg and creating small detailed clothes and helmets. These dolls look particularly effective when standing as a collection and would make a poignant alternative to a standard display board” – Rachel, AccessArt

See This Resource Used In Schools…

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An Exploration of Paul Nash

For Remembrance Day

World War l Mail Art

What We Like About This Resource….

Working collaboratively towards a shared aim provides an alternative experience to working on individual projects. Creating together encourages listening, peer feedback and creative problem solving – all of which are hugely valuable in all areas of education” – Rachel, AccessArt

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Animal Habitat Mural

Collaborative Public Mural

Mural and Workshop Project