By Sheila Ceccarelli

AccessArt is always looking for examples to make the case that creativity is integral to learning (like, let’s say reading) and art should not be seen as an add on subject but core, so you can imagine my delight when my eight year old daughter came home with a year 3 homework brief to ‘make or draw a Roald Dahl character inspired by Quentin Blake.’

Alfie from Roald Dahl’s Esio trot by Louis, year 3

So at home on the kitchen table, year three children at Milton Road Primary School set about bringing Roald Dahl characters to life. Many thanks to pupils and parents for sharing images of their efforts with AccessArt.

All quotes are from the official Roald Dahl website.

The BFG by Portia 

“I is a nice and jumbly giant! I is the only nice and jumbly Giant in Giant Country! I is THE BIG FRIENDLY GIANT! I is the BFG. What is your name?” Roald Dahl, The BFG 

Portia started by making a basic form out of newspaper and wrapping masking tape around it to hold it in place

Making a basic torso form with newspaper and masking tape

Using newspaper and masking tape to make the BFG’s ear and torso

Adding his nose

And getting his posture right

Portia then applies modroc over her masking tape and newspaper armature and uses her fingers to massage the modroc to create an even layer and form it before it dries

She applies the modroc all over her structure

Portia uses her fingers to mould the modroc and create detail

The following week, Portia is set to paint her BFG

She mixed the skin colour with acrylic paints

And started by painting his face

And then added detail

Painting the BFG’s shirt and waistcoat

The BFG by Portia

The Snozzwanger by Francis

“Snorting Snozzwanger” he yelled, picking himself up and waving the letter about as though he were hitting mosquitos” Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator 

Close up of Francis’s Snozzwanger

Francis works with newspaper and modroc to make the ‘Snozzwanger’s’ form

Finished Snozzwanger by Francis

James and the Giant Peach by Naomi and Eleanor

“After James Henry Trotter had been living with his aunts for three whole years there came a morning when something rather peculiar happened to him.” Roald Dahl,  James and the Giant Peach 

The artists set to work

Creating a paper mache peach

Setting the scene!

Ta-da! Finished James and the Giant Peach

Earthworm from James and the Giant Peach by Louis

“I am not a slimy beast,” the Earthworm said. “I am a useful and much loved creature. Ask any gardener you like.” Roald Dahl, James and the Giant Peach

Modelling clay – sculptors material and cheap and easy to access for kitchen table work

Making Earthworm by manipulating modelling clay

Painting Earthworm

Roald Dahl’s Earthworm by Louis

The Enormous Crocodile by Dylan

‘The Enormous Crocodile grinned, showing hundreds of sharp white teeth. “For my lunch today,” he said, “I would like a nice juicy little child.”‘ Roald Dahl, The Enormous Crocodile

The Enormous Crocodile by Dylan

Note! The very open mouth full of children!

Alfie by Louis

‘Alfie had been with Mrs Silver for years and he lived on her balcony summer and winter. Planks had been placed around the sides of the balcony so that Alfie could walk about without toppling over the edge…’ Roald Dahl, Esio Trot

Alfie and Louis

Many thanks to Roald Dahl for imagining and Quentin Blake for inspiring year three at Milton Road Primary School to see their potential power to bring the imagined to life.

Many thanks to parents and children for sharing their work and process with AccessArt and teachers for recognising the importance of making in our children’s lives.