Students will gain a basic understanding of line, tone and form by experimenting with a range of materials and techniques based upon the work of traditional and contemporary artists.

Key components – 

• To develop an understanding of observational drawing and practice a range of shading techniques
• To develop drawing skills using a range of different pencils to correctly observe shape, tone and form
• To identify the work of artists and practitioners and be able to identify key elements distinctive to Picasso and Cubism

Students will gain an understanding of composition and pattern as they investigate the cultural artwork of Mexico before designing their own Calavera to sculpt from clay. 

Key components – 

• To investigate patterns in Mexican art and culture
• To experiment with paint and pencils
• To shape an join clay to create a sculpture

Students will study the work of Vincent Van Gogh, developing techniques and skills by replicating parts of his work using a variety of media. 

Key components – 

• To experiment with mark making
• To sketch accurate proportions
• To apply, blend and create shadows and highlights with oil pastels

Students will investigate the work of North East artists Norman Cornish, Tom McGuiness and the Pitman Painters.

Key components – 

• To use one point perspective to create distance in your work
• To experiment with watercolour, colour pencil, biro drawing and chalk and charcoal. 

Students will investigate the cultural and artistic importance of Aboriginal Art while developing further understanding of mark making and pattern, using a variety of materials and techniques.

Key components – 

• To further develop understanding and appreciation of artwork from around the world.
• Creating a narrative and an Aboriginal inspired painting based upon their own story.
• Using the coil method to create an Aboriginal inspired clay pot 

Pupils will research the artist Henri Rousseau and explore natural forms while comparing and contrasting a variety of landscapes.

Key components – 

• To use viewfinders to make compositional selections from a painting
• To create light and shade using tonal pencil, colour pencil and biro.

Students will create a series of outcomes allowing them to explore and develop a wide range of key skills and knowledge of applying techniques  throughout this project. They will focus on a different technique each fortnight to allow them to then select, use and develop these skills as the year progresses. 

Key components – 

• Knowledge retrieval of techniques used in KS2
• To further develop tonal drawing, creating the illusion of glass and liquid
• To further develop use of one point perspective
• To understand colour theory
• To become more expressive when mark making
• To create a sculptural drawing using 3D drawing techniques

Students experiment with a wide range of materials, culminating in a 2D outcome. Artwork based upon the work of MC Escher and Rene Magritte.

Key components – 

• Developing creative, surrealist designs using stimulus from four key themes; fire, ice, mechanical and nature
• Investigating the work of Salvador Dali, Rene Magritte and M.C Escher
• Creating a personal response to the work of other artists

Students will develop an in-depth understanding of the colour theory while investigating the artwork of L.S Lowry, culminating in a 2D outcome.

Key components – 

• Investigating the artwork and local architecture from the North East of England
• To develop an understanding of positive and negative space
• Using one and two point perspectives
• Using the clay slab technique to create clay houses. 

Students will be introduced to the basic elements of typography and graphic lettering while investigating the work of contemporary graffiti artists, learning about its origins, political and social motivation, protest and demonstration.

Key components –

• To investigate typography and create stylised versions of existing fonts
• To investigate colour combinations to create contrast and harmonious effects
• To create a gradient

Year 8

 Pupils will investigate the work of contemporary and traditional portrait artists. Including the work of Kelvin Okafor, Cath Riley and Jono Dry before creating their own hyperrealist self portrait.

Key components – 

• To further  develop skills in observational and tonal drawing
• To draw proportionally and to scale

Students will explore the artwork of Surrealist artist Salvador Dali and Miguel Vallinas to create an anthropomorphic portrait

Key components 

• Developing observational skills, looking at natural forms.
• Gaining an understanding of Surrealist images
• Creating anthropomorphic birds.
• Applying acrylic paint with expression

Pupils will realise their anthropomorphic portrait in 3D form. 

Key components – 

• Developing knowledge of clay sculpting techniques to create more complex shapes 

Students will use various techniques to investigate ways of breaking up space in 2D form

Key components – 

• Using a viewfinder to crop an image
• Using positive and negative spaces

material for their work.

• observation, experience, memories and imagination
• tone, symmetry, line, rhythm, shape, space, form, textures

.

knowledge about primary and

secondary, warm and cold,

complementary and

contrasting colours

• knowledge of colour wheel
• experimentation of colour mixing
• colour blending

• monoprints
• block printing
• stamping
• layering
• manipulating
• stencils

press prints

rubbings

• repeat
• mirror image
• contrasting
• textures
• collage
• negative and positive

• found objects
• recycled materials
• environmental objects
• malleable materials

• perspective
• dynamic line
• observation and imagination
• different drawing tools (e.g. cones, twigs, feathers, wheels)

• monochrome

• metallics
• neon

• experimenting- trial and error
• a variety of background paper- newsprint, collage
• surface textures
• relief

• spots, stripes, zig zags, squiggles, dots, waves, cross hatch
• – geometric, random, symmetrical, asymmetrical

constructions with increasing

independence e.g. with modroc, clay, modelling board, wire 

• development of ideas from initial starting points
• refinement of skills over time

• dynamic line
• different effects
• what makes a good drawing?

• apply artists colour techniques to own work
• experiment with a selected range of colour media
• investigate colour blending skills

• learning through trial and error
• developing visual sensitivity
• working knowledge of tools and systems

e.g different tools for mark making- sticks, feathers, string etc

• splattering
• stippling
• dribbling
• rubbings
• dabbing
• etching
• cross- hatching
• intaglio

• develop skills in  moulding, constructing, twisting, plaiting, connecting, layering
• be able to review and refine work as it progresses
• connect ideas to other artists, designers and craftspeople