By Jean Edwards.

In this post, Jean Edwards shows us how photographs of still life subjects can be made into digital collages using image manipulation apps.

Collecting and arranging manmade and natural materials is an activity that many children do spontaneously using what they collect from around their immediate environment. Collecting and arranging colours, patterns and textures digitally allows them to capture and make art with materials in a different way. Observing, selecting and editing skills are vital here as they are in many art processes.

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A collection of sources and imagery to explore the question ‘What Is Form?’

Please note that this page contains links to external websites and has videos from external websites embedded. At the time of creating, AccessArt checked all links to ensure content is appropriate for teachers to access. However external websites and videos are updated and that is beyond our control. 

Please let us know if you find a 404 link, or if you feel content is no longer appropriate. 

We strongly recommend as part of good teaching practice that teachers watch all videos and visit all websites before sharing with a class. On occasion there may be elements of a video you would prefer not to show to your class and it is the teacher’s responsibility to ensure content is appropriate. Many thanks. 

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This resource is free to access and is not a part of AccessArt membership.

What is Form?

Form can be placed into two categories: implied form and actual form.

Implied Form can be found in a 2D artwork that gives the illusion of form through perspective, shape, tone, line and colour.

Real form is a 3D object that exists in space and time, such as architecture or a sculpture.

All forms are either geometric and organic, whether they are real (3D) or implied (2D). Geometric forms are mathematical objects including cubes, pyramids and spheres. Geometric forms appear man made and can suggest something solid, balanced and permanent. Whereas organic forms look natural. They are irregular and may seem flowing and unpredictable. – BBC

Discuss the artwork below to explore the different types of form.

Implied Form

Power Station by Phil Dean

Homage to Morandi by Jason Line

Persische Nachtigallen (Persian Nightingales) (1917) by Paul Klee. Original portrait painting from The Art Institute of Chicago.

Bomber Lair (1940) painting in high resolution by Paul Nash. Original from The Birmingham Museum. 

Tumbling Blocks Original public domain image from Smithsonian

Untitled (Bars and Blocks) Original public domain image from Smithsonian

Questions to Ask Children

Which artworks are made of organic forms? How do you know?

Can you see artworks with geometric forms? How can you tell?

Do any of the images have a combination of geometric and organic forms? Which ones?

Which style of work do you prefer and why?

Does this artwork look heavy or light and why?

How have artists given the illusion of form in this artwork?

Real Form

Paper Polar Bear Set by Nathan Ward

Bronze horse, Greek, Corinthian, 8th century BCE, MET Museum

Under Water: paper and movement in G.F Smith’s White Space by Nathan Ward

Lets Dance by Faith Bebbington 4 Close Up Of Newspaper Clothing

Wembley Lion (Cardboard) by Faith Bebbington

Aglow Liz West Nemozena 2018-9

Questions to Ask Children

What can you see in the sculpture?

Does the sculpture look heavy or light and why?

How does the light and shadow impact the sculpture?

With your finger in the air, draw the shapes you can see in the sculpture…

Which sculptures have geometric forms and which are organic? Which do you prefer?

AccessArt is proud to support Let’s Create Art 2022. In its inaugural year the Let’s Create Art campaign will showcase the vital role of visual arts engagement in promoting positive wellbeing.

The campaign invites organisations and individuals to take part in visual arts activities between 19 October – 2 November.

Find out how you can join in at https://engage.org/happenings/lets-create-art/

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A collection of imagery and sources designed to stimulate conversation around the work of Saoirse Morgan.

Please note that this page contains links to external websites and has videos from external websites embedded. At the time of creating, AccessArt checked all links to ensure content is appropriate for teachers to access. However external websites and videos are updated and that is beyond our control. 

Please let us know if you find a 404 link, or if you feel content is no longer appropriate. 

We strongly recommend as part of good teaching practice that teachers watch all videos and visit all websites before sharing with a class. On occasion there may be elements of a video you would prefer not to show to your class and it is the teacher’s responsibility to ensure content is appropriate. Many thanks. 

This resource is free to access and is not a part of AccessArt Membership.

Saoirse Morgan

“My paintings explore my connection with familiar landscapes. The subject of my work is my home terrain of West Wales: the landscape, the coast, the ecology. I am inspired by local colour, plant life, atmosphere and weather. I spent my childhood on small islands, surrounded by swirling tide races and wild, wind-blown seas.  My terrestrial environment is maritime heath and lowland heath. It’s a warm, familiar colour palette, dominated by bracken, heather and gorse.” – Saoirse

Questions to Ask Children

How does Saoirse’s painting process connect to the sea?

How do the colours, shapes and textures evoke the atmosphere of the sea?

Questions To Ask Children

How does the painting, and process capture the essence of the sea?

What do you like / dislike about the painting?

How does the painting make you feel?

Questions to Ask Children

Are there any animals / insects / plants in your local area that has been suffering the consequences of climate change? How has your local landscape been affected?

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