This was such a lovely school to work with. The staff and pupils were brilliant, engaged and attentive throughout the day, creating a really positive atmosphere in the classroom. It is always encouraging to walk into a space where students are curious and willing to take part and that sense of enthusiasm quickly shaped the tone of the workshop.
Over the course of the day we had some great conversations about art and creativity. There were a few lively debates along the way, along with some thoughtful discussions about different techniques, materials and the many ways artists approach their work. Moments like these are often just as valuable as the drawing itself, as they help students see that art is as much about thinking, questioning and exploring ideas as it is about making images.
The Year 10 students that I had the pleasure of working with produced some wonderful imagery during the Portrait Illustration Workshop. Using a straightforward set of techniques, they explored portraiture through the use of various pens and inks, building their images through confident lines, mark making and expressive details.
As part of the session we also talked about the idea of rules in art. Some guidelines can be helpful when learning a technique, but creativity often comes from knowing when to step outside those boundaries. Encouraging students to experiment, adapt and occasionally ignore the rules that do not serve their ideas can open the door to much more personal and interesting work.
By the end of the workshop the tables were covered with a wide range of portraits, each one reflecting the individual choices and creative instincts of the student who made it. It was a really enjoyable day with plenty of positive outcomes and some genuinely impressive work.
Take a look at some of the fantastic images produced during the session. 🎨
EMELBI (“,)
