This collection of videos and sources will help you explore the work of Anna Atkins.

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. 

*If you are having issues viewing videos it may be due to your schools firewall or your cookie selection. Please check with your IT department.*

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

Anna Atkins

Anna Atkins was a botanist and photographer in the 1800s. She is considered as the first person to publish a book of photographs.

The process she used was called cyanotype. This used light exposure and a simple chemical process to create blueprints of botanical specimens. 

To read more about the invention of photographs explore this Google Arts and Culture resource.

Explore the images and sources below and use the questions to inspire classroom discussion.

Schizonema Dillwynii by Anna Atkins, Gilman Collection, Purchase, The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation Gift, through Joyce and Robert Menschel, 2005

Spiraea aruncus (Tyrol) by Anna Atkins, Purchase, Alfred Stieglitz Society Gifts, 2004

Questions to Ask Children

What do you like about these images? How are they different from photographs you see today?

Can you think of a plant/flower that would create an interesting cyanotype?

Can you draw the outline of an Oak leaf? What about a Holly leaf?

This Talking Points Is Used In…

Pathway: using natural materials to make images

This is featured in the ‘Using Natural Materials to Make Images’ pathway

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Show me what you see

A collection of imagery and sources designed to stimulate conversation around the work of Frances Hatch.

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. 

*If you are having issues viewing videos it may be due to your schools firewall or your cookie selection. Please check with your IT department.*

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

Frances Hatch

Frances is a plein-air artist who responds creatively to the landscape around her. Frances uses the natural materials available to her in the environment that she is painting in, for example soil and grass or rock pigment. 

“I am a participant in a conversation with the land. I respond rather than impose – working with what is given.”

Questions to Ask Children

How do you think that dipping paper in water changes the quality of the pencil?

Is there a space in your local area where you would like to sit and draw?

Watch this video without volume on. Then play it with the volume on but ask the children to close their eyes and just listen. Finally watch the video again with eyes open and volume on. 

Questions To Ask Children

Does the painting feel different when you tune into the sounds of the city? How so?

Questions to Ask Children

How would you describe Frances’s work?

How does it make you feel?

How would you describe the colours that she uses?

Can you name some natural materials that could be used for drawing and painting from around your local area?

Resource on AccessArt: Working WITH and IN the Landscape

Explore the resource “Working With and IN the landscape by Frances Hatch“. 

This Talking Points Is Used In…

Pathway: using natural materials to make images

This is featured in the ‘Using Natural Materials to Make Images’ pathway

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Show me what you see

This collection of videos and sources will help you explore the work of Lotte Reiniger.

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. 

*If you are having issues viewing videos it may be due to your schools firewall or your cookie selection. Please check with your IT department.*

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

Lotte Reiniger was a German animation pioneer in the early 20th Century. Reiniger’s work focused on silhouette animation, she made over 40 films throughout her lifetime. 

Reiniger invented the first multi-plane camera, an invention which Walt Disney would later go on to adapt and patent for himself. 

Reiniger enjoyed retelling fairytales though silhouette animation and went on to create animations for Cinderella, Thumbelina and also spent 3 years making the first feature film The Adventures of Prince Achmed.

You might recognise her influence in more recent films, such as in the credits of the 2004 film ‘A Series of Unfortunate events’ or in the ‘Tale of three Brothers’ in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows pt 1.

Watch the videos below to find out more about the work and life of Lotte Reiniger.

Watch this video to find out more about her process.

Questions to Ask Children

Do you like Lotte Reiniger animations?

How do her animations compare with modern day Disney and Pixar animation?

Can you imagine why they were so ground breaking at the time?

Is there a story that you would like to see animated in this way?

How might you make a character seem excited through body movements alone? What about sad?

Thumbelina by Lotte Reiniger

Show this short clip to your class.

Questions to Ask Children

How would you describe the movements of the puppet?

Take a guess at how many different pieces had to be cut out for the puppet to dance?

Where do you think joins had to be made for movements?

Watch the clip again and ask children to create blind and continuous line drawings (not looking at the page) in a sketchbook of the puppet dancing. Ask them to look at the arms and legs and just draw whatever movement grabs their attention as the clip plays. 

Watch clips of the credits animation for the 2004 film ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ and inspire discussion using the questions below.

Questions to Ask Children

What similarities can you see between this animation and the work of Lotte Reiniger?

What differences can you see?

This Talking Points Is Used In…

Pathway: Shadow Puppets

This is featured in the ‘Shadow Puppets’ pathway

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Show me what you see

A collection of imagery and sources designed to explore paper cut puppets.

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. 

*If you are having issues viewing videos it may be due to your schools firewall or your cookie selection. Please check with your IT department.*

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

Holly Summerson

Holly is an animator, illustrator and community artist specialising in 2D, hand-made and mixed-media techniques.

This showreel was made from selected paper-cut animations from a recent project for Coppice Theatre.

Jamie Caliri

Jamie Caliri is a filmmaker and cinematographer in live action and animation. Watch some of the videos below to see how he directs paper cut and 3D animations.

Questions to Ask Children

How would you describe the movements that the puppets make? 

Thinking about facial expressions and eye movements, how would you make a paper puppet seem happy? Sad? Excited? Mysterious? Up to no good?

This Talking Points Is Used In…

Pathway: Making Animated Drawings

This is featured in the ‘Making Animated Drawings’ pathway

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Show me what you see

A collection of imagery and sources designed to explore the different ways in which drawings can move.

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. 

*If you are having issues viewing videos it may be due to your schools firewall or your cookie selection. Please check with your IT department.*

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

Steve Kirby and Andrew Fox

Calligraphy Animals Animated is a collaboration between calligrapher Andrew Fox and director and animator Steve Kirby.

Questions to Ask Children

What shapes can you see?

Which animal in this animation is your favourite? Why?

If you could make a calligraphy animal that would appear in this animation what would it be? How would it move?

Why is collaboration important?

Lucinda Schreiber

Lucinda is an Australian director, animator and illustrator. Find more of Lucinda’s work here.

Questions to Ask Children

How does this animation make you feel?

What is a ‘transition?’ How many did you spot in this animation?

What is your favourite part of the animation?

Animated Afganistan Children’s Drawings

Questions to Ask Children

How do you feel when you watch this animation?

Which are your favourite parts?

Workshop with Tracy Miller-Robbins

This animation is a result of a “Animated Drawings” workshop at MODE 2017: Motion Design Education Summit, Ohio State University.

Questions to Ask Children

This animation was made as a result of a workshop. Which parts inspire you?

Two Animation Winners…

The following animations won a competition to encourage children and teenagers to make time to be creative…

Questions to Ask Children

What do you think about the way the children choose to communicate their message?

This Talking Points Is Used In…

Pathway: Making Animated Drawings

This is featured in the ‘Making Animated Drawings’ pathway

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Show me what you see

A collection of imagery and sources designed to introduce children to Installation Art.

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.

What is Installation Art?

Installation Art often occupies large rooms or spaces. It is usually designed for a specific environment for a temporary period of time. Installation art can often be engaged with and is meant to create a unified experience for the viewer.

Inflatable Installations

Tentacles in Philadelphia, USA – Filthy Luker and GroupX

Filthy Luker creates inflatable installations designed to make our environments more fun and surreal.

Questions to Ask Children

How does this installation make you feel?

What kind of creature is hidden inside the building? How many eyes does it have?

How many shoes would this creature need?

Is there a building in your local area that you would like to see an inflatable creature in?

Light Installations

Liz West is an Internationally Acclaimed Visual Artist who uses light as a tool, controlling the amount, shape, form, size, colour, strength and quality to fill architectural or fabricated structures. Liz’s installations immerse the viewer in saturated environments and are known to stir up emotional responses in those who see it. Find out more about Liz West in her “Which Artists?” post.

Questions to Ask Children

How does this installation make you feel?

How does the environment that the installation is in, change the way you experience it?

How do you think it would feel to interact with this installation?

How has the installation transformed the environment?

This Talking Points Is Used In…

Pathway: Brave Colour

This is featured in the ‘Brave colour’ pathway

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Find out how pupils can respond to artists work in sketchbooks

Show me what you see

Enable close looking and drawing with this exercise

A collection of imagery and sources designed to introduce children to Projection Mapping.

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. 

*If you are having issues viewing videos it may be due to your schools firewall or your cookie selection. Please check with your IT department.*

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

Introduction

The following videos and weblinks explore different uses of projection mapping.

Projection mapping is a type of digital installation art. Artists project digital film or imagery onto unusual surfaces such as buildings or irregularly shaped objects, creating optical illusions.

Projection mapping requires spatially mapped specialist software that allows designers to mimic the environment that it is being projected onto, whilst playing with dimensions and movement of static objects.

Music and Projection Mapping by Light Odyssey

“2018 Light Odyseey transformed the Iconic Empress Ballroom in Blackpool to a 2D and 3D projection mapping canvas for seven different animations. Over 20 projectors were set up to cover the huge space of the ballroom, resulting in a spectacular light stage for the animations.”

Questions to Ask Children

How have the animations interacted with the architecture as well as the music?

How does it make you feel?

Do you think that the animation adds to the music or does it distract you? Why?

Projection Mapping and Architecture

This video contains flashing imagery.

A projection mapped piece comissioned by People’s Association Singapore for the Passion Arts initiative. Video: Brandon Tay/ Chew Ming Wee
Sound: Safuan Johari

Questions to Ask Children

How does the animation interact with the building?

Does it remind you of anything?

Is there an interesting building within your community that you would like to put a projected animation or film onto?

This Talking Points Is Used In…

Pathway: Music and art

This is featured in the ‘Music and Art’ pathway

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Show me what you see

A collection of imagery and sources designed to introduce children to Zines.

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

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.  

*If you are having issues viewing videos it may be due to your schools firewall or your cookie selection. Please check with your IT department.*

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

What is a Zine?

Zines are inexpensive or free way of making a self published publication. A focus on community is what makes a zine different to a comic or other types of publications. 

Find your message and get creative!

At 00.55 there is an expletive shown on screen. You may want to stop the video before this point.

Questions to Ask Children

What kind of issues would you make a zine about?

What change would you like to see within your local community? Think about shared spaces, environment, local services…

What would you like to celebrate within your local community?

You May Also Like…

Pathway: Print & Activism

This is featured in the ‘Print & Activism’ pathway

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Show me what you see

Introducing you to artist and activist Kate DeCiccio.

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. 

*If you are having issues viewing videos it may be due to your schools firewall or your cookie selection. Please check with your IT department.*

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

Kate DeCiccio

Kate DeCiccio is an artist who reflects community stories through posters. Kate believes that portraits can help to shift narratives and are a great way to collaborate and share stories.

During the protest scene from 4.00 onwards there are expletives shown on screen on some of the posters . You may want to stop the video before this point.

Questions to Ask Children

What change would you like to see in the world and who could you create a portrait of to embody this message?

Why is collaboration important?

Spend 5 minutes working in pairs to note down (in sketchbooks) imagery and words that could be on a poster about your local community.

This Talking Points Is Used In…

Pathway: Print & Activism

This is featured in the ‘Print & Activism’ pathway

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Show me what you see

See This Resource Used In Schools…

You May Also Like…

Pathway: Expressive Painting

This is featured in the ‘Expressive Painting’ pathway

Talking Points: Brush Work of Van Gogh & Cezanne

Talking Points: Marela Zacarías

talking points: Charlie French

Session Recording: Expressive Painting

A collection of imagery and sources designed to introduce children to the work of Danish artist Molly Haslund.

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. 

*If you are having issues viewing videos it may be due to your schools firewall or your cookie selection. Please check with your IT department.*

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

The Circle Project by Molly Haslund

Teacher’s Notes

“Molly Haslund ventures out into the city wearing grey: a grey suit, grey socks and grey shoes so that she blends in with the tarmac and the pavement. She carries a huge pair of compasses much taller than herself. She stops somewhere and starts drawing a white circle on the ground. She completes the first circle and then moves the pair of compasses and starts drawing a new circle that overlaps the first one. She draws a third circle and stands in her grey shoes in the middle of the circle for a moment before snapping the pair of compasses together and moving on.” https://www.mollyhaslund.com/circles-2013-2

“… The focus is on the physical action, on the movement of the circles, and the patterns emerging and disappearing again – and of course the effect grows with the number of participants. on the other hand, if you want to draw alone, you can just withdraw a little from the rest. A bit like on the dance floor.”  Molly Haslund 

Watch the video with the pupils, and look at the images below. Find questions to prompt discussion at the end of this resource. 

Circles, Molly Haslund, 2015, New York, Peekskill Project #6, Hudson Valley MOCA, Photo by Joe Orangias

Circles (2013), Molly Haslund, Museum of Contemporary Art, Roskilde, Denmark, Photo by Matilde Haaning

Circles, Molly Haslund, 2014, Art Week, Superkilen, Copenhagen, Denmark, Photo by Matilde Haaning

Circles, Molly Haslund, 2014, Art Week, Superkilen, Copenhagen, Denmark, Photo by Matilde Haaning

Questions to Ask Children

How would you feel if you came across these circles in your street or playground, without knowing who had made them or why? What would you do? Would they change the way you move?

How do you think Molly, the artist, chooses where to make her circles?

How could you make similar circles in your playground, using chalk tied to sticks? 

How would the circles you make join up with the circles your friends make?

What would other pupils in your school think if they discovered your circles? What do you think they would do?

What other shapes could you make with your body in the playground? Would you need tools? 

If music played would you make different shapes? How would the shapes be different? 

This Talking Points Is Used In…

Pathway: Spirals

This is featured in the ‘Spirals’ pathway

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Show me what you see

See This Resource Used In Schools…

See This Resource Used in Schools…

You May Also Like…

Pathway: Festival Feasts

This is featured in the ‘Festival Feasts’ pathway

Talking Points: Claes Oldenburg

Talking Points: Nicole Dyer

Talking Points: Lucia Hierro

Drawing source material: Food

A collection of imagery and sources designed to stimulate an exploration of the brushwork of Van Gogh and Cezanne.

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. 

*If you are having issues viewing videos it may be due to your schools firewall or your cookie selection. Please check with your IT department.*

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

Exploring the Brushwork of Van Gogh and Cezanne

If we zoom in and look closely at the brushwork of both Cezanne and Van Gogh you’ll see how they applied paint using fluid loose marks with complex colours, and yet when you stand back, the brush marks and the colours find their place to help tell the story of the painting.

In this resource we have zoomed in on sections of paintings to help pupils see the kinds of marks made by the painters. 

Use the questions at the end to help guide an exploration. 

Top: Detail: Wheat Field with Cypresses (1889) by Vincent Van Gogh. Original from the MET Museum.

Top: Detail: Three Apples (Deux pommes et demie) (ca. 1878–1879) by Paul Cézanne. Original from Original from Barnes Foundation.

Top: Detail: Houses and Figure (1890) by Vincent Van Gogh. Original from the Barnes Foundation. 

Top: Detail: Houses in Provence: The Riaux Valley near LEstaque (ca. 1883) by Paul Cézanne.

Top: Detail: The Bedroom (1889) by Vincent Van Gogh.

Questions to Ask Children

“Impasto” describes paint when it is applied so thickly onto the canvas that it remains raised. Can you see areas of impasto in the paintings above?

Can you find an area of a painting where the artist has let the colour of the canvas show through?

Can you find examples of where the artist hasn’t mixed the colour on a palette – instead he has applied wet paint of one colour over wet paint of another colour and you can see where it mixes on the canvas?

Think about direction of brush strokes – can you find an area of canvas where the brush strokes go a particular direction? How do the artists’ change the direction of the brush strokes according to the subject matter of what they are painting? 

How would you describe some of the brush strokes? Restful? Busy? Rhythmical? Chaotic? 

Can you see areas of the paintings where the artist uses outlines? Doesn’t use outlines?

How many different colours can you spot in a particular area of canvas? Do you think the artist gives those colours names?

What kinds of tools or brushes do you think the artist might have used? 

This Talking Points Is Used In…

Pathway: Expressive Painting

This is featured in the ‘Expressive Painting’ pathway

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Show me what you see

See This Resource Used In Schools

A collection of imagery and sources designed to stimulate conversation around the work of Charlie French.

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. 

*If you are having issues viewing videos it may be due to your schools firewall or your cookie selection. Please check with your IT department.*

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

Charlie French

“I embrace a blank canvas with a sense of wonder and adventure.”

Charlie French is an abstract painter, living in London. 

Website

Instagram

In the Fathoms Below, copyright Charlie French

“What inspires you?”

“I am asked that question a lot. And I think there are obvious ones you see in my series: Disney movies, music, the ocean, the beautiful world I see, my happy memories and an imagination that cracks me up.

And lots of times I am inspired simply by my love of COLORS and SHAPES. I pick my colour palette and just paint.

The truth is that every day is different. But I am most happy when I can walk up to a canvas and let go. I am free. Freedom in life is very important. Don’t you think, Friends???”

Copyright Charlie French

Copyright Charlie French

Questions to Ask Children

How would you describe Charlie’s work?

How does it make you feel?

How would you describe the colours?

Charlie thinks it’s important to feel free and have the space to explore in your artwork. Would you agree? Have you ever felt like that? How do you think he lets himself feel like that?

When Charlie puts the paint on the canvas, what kinds of movements does he make with his body? Can you do “air painting” and move your arm as you think he did to apply the paint? Stand up! 

This Talking Points Is Used In…

Pathway: Expressive Painting

This is featured in the ‘Expressive Painting’ pathway

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Show me what you see

A collection of imagery and sources designed to stimulate conversation around the work of Marela Zacarías.

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. 

*If you are having issues viewing videos it may be due to your schools firewall or your cookie selection. Please check with your IT department.*

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

Marela Zacarías

“My pieces are sculptural paintings. I make the piece take your eye into spaces you wouldn’t think to look.”

Marela is a painter/sculptor who creates undulating painted forms which explore movement and colour. The majority of Marela’s pieces are site specific (created for a particular location). 

Marela lives between Brooklyn and Mexico City

Website

Questions to Ask Children

How would you describe Marela’s artwork to someone who couldn’t see it?

How does it make you feel? How would you react if you were in the same space?

What does it remind you of?

Does your eye stay still when you look at it?

Can you imagine how Marela works out how the pieces join together? 

Is it like anything you have seen before?

What kinds of colours does she use?

This Talking Points Is Used In…

Pathway: Expressive Painting

This is featured in the ‘Expressive Painting’ pathway

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Show me what you see

A collection of imagery and sources designed to introduce children to the process of screenprint.

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. 

*If you are having issues viewing videos it may be due to your schools firewall or your cookie selection. Please check with your IT department.*

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

Screenprint

Teachers Notes

Screen print is a printing process in which a mesh (silk screen) is used to transfer ink to a surface such as paper or fabric. An image is exposed into the mesh with UV light. Once exposed some areas of the mesh will be blocked and some will allow ink to pass through.

Watch the video below to show children the process in action before trying our Screen Print Classroom Hack.

Theresa Easton, Screenprints and Silk Screen

This Talking Points Is Used In…

Pathway: working with shape and colour

This is featured in the ‘Working with Shape and Colour’ pathway

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Show me what you see

A collection of imagery and sources designed to introduce children to the process of monotype.

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.

*If you are having issues viewing videos it may be due to your schools firewall or your cookie selection. Please check with your IT department.*

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

Monotype 

A monotype is a simple printmaking process that is used to create one off prints. Sometimes artists will create a ‘ghost’ print from whatever is left on the printing plate after an initial print has been taken. 

There are many ways that a monotype can be made. A metal or plastic plate is painted onto with any material that will transfer marks to paper under pressure. 

A monotype is a stand alone print whereas a monoprint is a print that is part of a series.

Find our collection of monotype resources here.

This Talking Points Is Used In…

Pathway: Making Monotypes

This is featured in the ‘Making Monotypes’ pathway

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Show me what you see

Introducing you to the work of Faith Ringgold.

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. 

*If you are having issues viewing videos it may be due to your schools firewall or your cookie selection. Please check with your IT department.*

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

Faith Ringgold

Faith Ringgold is an artist and activist who grew up during the Harlem Renaissance. Ringgold communicates personal narratives, history and politics through her painted quilts.

In this video Faith Ringgold discusses how she fought to get women and African-American artists into museums.

Watch this video to see how Ringgold combines cloth, paint and thread to make her quilts.

Faith Ringgold on Google Arts & Culture

See more at Ringgold’s website 

Questions to Ask Children

Faith emphasises the importance of focussing upon personal experience through art; How does she do this and why do you think this is important?

Are there things you care about that you’d like to make art about to help you share your thoughts/views? What’s important to you?

“When they’re looking at my work, they’re looking at a painting and they’re able to accept it better because it is also a quilt.” – Faith Ringgold

Why do you think people are more accepting of a quilt than a painting? What do you associate with quilts?

This Talking Points Is Used In…

Pathway: Print & Activism

This is featured in the ‘Print & Activism’ pathway

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Show me what you see

Introducing you to the work of artist and activist Shepard Fairey.

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. 

*If you are having issues viewing videos it may be due to your schools firewall or your cookie selection. Please check with your IT department.*

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

Shepard Fairey

Shepard Fairey is a contemporary street artist and activist. In his work he tackles topics such as political power and propaganda. Fairey uses stencils and screen print to make his work.

The Black Hills Are Not For Sale, Screen Print, 18 x 24 inches, July 2012

See more at Faireys website and Instagram feed

Questions to Ask Children

How many processes can you identify in the first video? Why do you think Shepard uses so many different processes/mediums?

When you look at Fairey’s ‘The Black Hills Are Not For Sale’ what do you see?

If you don’t know about the Black Hills can you still figure out what this artwork might be trying to communicate?

Why is it important for artists to create work that questions what is going on in the world?

Do you think that Faireys work is successful in communicating important messages? Why do you think this?

This Talking Points Is Used In…

Pathway: Print & Activism

This is featured in the ‘Print & Activism’ pathway

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Show me what you see