Art and Design at Bedford Drive Primary School

““Creativity is contagious, pass it on” –Albert Einstein”

(Albert Einstein)

The school follows the National Curriculum for Art and Design as defined by the Department for Education. The National Curriculum for Art and Design aims to ensure that all pupils:

• produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences

• become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques

• evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design

• know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.

We would like to share our work and learning from Autume Term 2023

Foundation 1

This term Foundation 1 have been exploring mark making using a range of different writing tools; paint, chalk, pencils and rubber paint brushes. We have been learning to join materials using tape, glue and wool. The children have selected the resources they need and adapted where necessary.

Foundation 2

This term Foundation 2 have been learning all about how to draw. A lot of this is undertaken during child initiated continuous provision. The children have used various media to draw. We have encouraged pupils to utilise resources within our continuous provision to support their drawing such as looking at a pumpkin or some flowers to draw a still life picture. 

Year 1

In year 1, the children have been developing a wide range of art and design techniques using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space. We have explored the work of Andy Warhol and created portraits in his style. Following our work in line drawing, we learnt to observe and then draw our own portraits, developing our skills over two sketches.

Year 2

In year 2, we have been looking at Liverpool’s ‘Three Graces’. Exploring architects such as Walter Aubrey Thomas and their importance in creating buildings. We have also studied the artwork of Liverpool artist Steph Dekker and her Tula Moon pieces Using these to inspire our own work, we created our own pieces using mark-making and brusho techniques.

Year 3

During our Art topic this term, children have been looking at the topic of ‘Scavengers and Settlers’ linking it to our History unit of work ‘Stone Age to Iron Age’. Children explored the history and style of cave painting. Children also looked at a range of aboriginal art, developing the unique style for children to then create their own piece.

Year 4

We have been studying the ‘Ruthless Romans’ to find out about the patterns they used and how they decorated their villas using mosaics. The children have studied the artist Antoni Gaudi, to explore how he used patterns, shapes and vibrant colours in his mosaics. The final piece was to create simple mosaic designs using tiles.

Year 5

Year 5 looked at the famous Victorian artist, Hans Holbein. They learnt about why he was famous during the Victorian era and why he was chosen by Henry VIII for so many famous portraits. Children explored the style and technique that he used and sketched their own images in this style, of Henry VIII or Anne of Cleves.

We would like to share our work and learning from Summer Term 2023

Year 2

In Year 2, the children have been studying paintings of the Great Fire of London, in particular, the work of Rita Greer. They have developed their pencil and charcoal skills to draw Tudor inspired houses. Also different mediums such as oil pastel, soft pastel and paint to create images of flames. The children took inspiration from Rita Greer’s work to create their own pieces. The final piece gave the children the opportunity to develop their mixed media skills and envision how the Great fire of London was.

Year 3

To enhance our knowledge of Ancient Greece, Year 3 designed their own Greek Pots. We researched the meaning behind the decorations, and how they were used to tell stories. Taking inspiration from Monica Young, children designed and made their own coil pots. Children developed the skills of Slip and Score in order to attach coils to each other. Year 3 then researched appropriate colours and decoration and finished their own pieces.

Year 4

In our art unit this term, we have been looking at Viking inspired artwork to create a dragon eye sketch. This unit helped us to strengthen our pencil sketching skills and techniques such as hatching or stippling. We then used these skills to create a dragon’s eye and used oil pastels to decorate it. We had to blend the colours we chose to create a striking and impactful final piece

Year 5

In Year 5, we have been learning and exploring the artist William Morris. We looked at why William Morris created his work around nature, in order to bring the countryside back to the Victorians who had to leave to move to the city for work during the Industrial Revolution. The children designed a wallpaper piece, which was then carved into a printing Styrofoam square. The children then used rollers to cover the printing square and created a repeated pattern to mimic the style of Morris.

Year 6

This term, Year 6 have taken inspiration from a range of artists to produce their own independent piece of work. By researching influential artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Banksy and Frida Kahlo, this developed the children’s creative thinking and understanding. Taking inspiration from these artists, the children experimented using paint, wax crayons and pencils to recreate work based on their styles. Once their decision was made, the children recreated their final piece inspired by the work of some of our world’s most renowned artists.

We would like to share our work and learning from Spring Term 2023

Foundation 1

In Art, Foundation 1 have been developing their drawing skills and learning to draw with more complexity and detail. The children have enjoyed using different materials to create Spring flower art. In the outdoor area, the children have used different coloured liquids to explore colour mixing with primary colours.

Foundation 2

This term Foundation 2 have been learning all about how to paint. A lot of this is undertaken during child initiated continuous provision. The children have used various media to paint. They have painted a still life picture of some beautiful Spring daffodils using poster paint, colour mixing skills and fine paint brushes.   

Year 1

This term in Year 1, we have been exploring the natural work of Andy Goldsworthy and Henri Matisse. We went outside and created our own sculptures from nature, using natural materials. We practised our observational drawing of different leaves, plants and objects from nature. We then used all these skills to make our own leaf sculpture from clay.

Year 2 Art

This term, we have been looking at the work of Georgia O’Keefe. We have experimented with different art techniques and media such as pastels, watercolour and pencils. We used the skills that we learnt to create drawings of flowers in the style of Georgia O’Keefe.

Year 3

Year 3 learnt about Derek Gores and his use of collage to create artwork. Children wrote facts, thoughts and opinions about his work and practised their sketching technique by drawing eyes and Egyptian portraits. For their final piece, children used mixed media to create a portrait of an Egyptian pharaoh, which are now displayed in the corridor and in our classrooms.

Year 4

This term in Year 4, our art has been linked to Anglo Saxon jewellery and how it compares or contrasts to modern designers such as Tiffany. We began by evaluating trends in modern jewellery and drawing comparisons to ancient brooches. Following this, we then designed our own brooch using sketching techniques and tracing paper to ensure symmetry. We made reference to the styles, shapes and patterns in our initial design. Afterwards, we transferred our 2D design to a 3D model using string, card and foil to sculpt our design. We then ended our project by embellishing our brooch with colours and features that were reminiscent of an ancient Saxon brooch.

Year 5

This term, Year 5 have learnt all about the work of 19th century artist, Georgia O’Keeffe. They researched O’Keeffe and studied examples of her work, discussing how she zoomed right in on just a tiny part of a flower. They explained what they could see, whether they liked it or not and the colours that had been chosen. After this, they then made their own viewfinders. Pupils chose a real flower to use for their art work, and examined it closely to look at the smaller elements of detail. With their viewfinder, they focused on one small part of the flower and sketched it in a much larger scale. Finally, they experimented with watercolours then painted their flower sketch in similar shades to the actual flower, to complement their work.

Year 6

In art this half term, Year 6 have been focusing on the work of Henry Moore, one of the 20th century’s great sculptors and one of Britain’s most famous artists. The children began by exploring his work and then went on to investigate sketching techniques with different grade pencils. They then created some figure drawings which focused closely on scale and proportion before creating 3D models of their figures in the style of Henry Moore. Finally, they evaluated their piece and reflected on what they liked about their work, how they could improve it and how it was similar to pieces by Henry Moore.

We would like to share our work and learning from Autumn Term 2022

Foundation 1

Foundation 2

This term Foundation 2 have been learning all about how to draw. A lot of this is undertaken during child initiated continuous provision. The children have used various media to draw. They have drawn still life pictures using pencils and fireworks using chalks and crayons.   

Year 1

In Year 1, the children have been developing a wide range of art and design techniques using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space. We have explored the work of Andy Warhol and created portraits in his style. Following our work in line drawing, we learnt to observe and then draw our own portraits, developing our skills over two sketches.

Year 2

In Year 2 we have been looking at Liverpool and the ‘Three Graces’. Then we learnt about architects and their important role in creating buildings. We also studied artwork and designs by Steph Dekker- Tula Moon. We then took inspiration from her work to create our own pieces, using line, sketching, pattern, colour and painting.

Year 3

During our Art topic this term, children have been looking at the topic of Scavengers and Settlers linking it to our History topic. Children explored the history and style of cave painting. Children looked at a range of aboriginal art, developing the unique style for children to then create their own piece.

Year 4

In Year 4, we have been studying the ‘Ruthless Romans’ to find out about the patterns they used and how they decorated their villas using mosaics. The children have studied the artist Antoni Gaudi, to explore how he used patterns, shapes and vibrant colours in his mosaics. The final piece was to create simple mosaic designs using tiles.

Year 5

Year 5 looked at the famous Victorian artist, Hans Holbein. They learnt about why he was famous during the Victorian era and why he was chosen by Henry VIII for so many famous portraits. Children explored the style and technique that he used and sketched their own images in this style, of Henry VIII or Anne of Cleves. Children then moved on to looking at the work of Gustav Klimt. Again, they explored the technique used by Klimt and created their own art work, around a photograph of them and their peers. 

Year 6

Year 6 have been looking at Batik linked to our work on the Mayans. We began by investigating the work of Indonesian Batik artist Mr Trisno before using patterns and shapes inspired by his work in our own pieces. We used wax to create the shapes on our fabric and brusho to generate the vibrant colours.

Here is a selection of our work over the school year 2021/22:

Summer Term

Foundation 1 –Observational drawing/sculpture/painting

In F1 the children explored London for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee. The children developed their drawing skills by observing different landmarks in London, including the London Eye. They explored portraits of the Queen using paint. They even used collage to create sculptures of red double decker buses. 

Foundation 2

This term Foundation 2 have been learning all about sculpture and texture. A lot of this is undertaken during child initiated continuous provision. The children made crowns using salt dough for the Queens Jubilee celebration and have been making 3D arc pictures.

Year 1 – Weaving

In Year 1 the children have learnt all about prehistoric weaving techniques. They focused on an individual final piece based on an underwater scene - taking inspiration from the story Marli’s Tangled Tale. The children used plastic strips from cut up plastic bags to weave their designs and to promote reuse and recycle. They have also revisited drawing skills using tone.

Year 2 – Mixed Media

This term, pupils have looked at the work of Rita Greer and discussed the impact her work linked to 'The Great Fire of London' has. Children then used mixed media (including pencil, pastels, chalks and charcoal) to create their own art work in the style of Rita Greer.

Year 3 - Sculpture

This term year 3 have used sculpture to create clay pots inspired by the Ancient Greeks. Children researched pots which archaeologists had discovered and used these to inspire their own design. Children created a perspective drawing of a pot and developed their sketching techniques with use of thatching for tone.

Year 4 - Drawing/Sculpture/painting

This term Year 4 have studied Anglo Saxon long ship dragon eyes. Children learnt how to sketch an eye and then used a variety of techniques for effect with pastels. Then they produced their final design applying the skills that they learnt.

Year 5 – Drawing 3D Pop Art/Painting

This term Year 5 have been looking Liverpool and cityscapes. We have studied the work of Charles Fazzino. We have created a double page spread about the artist as well as using line drawings to represent the things that we see.

We have then used the cityscapes of Liverpool to create our own Charles Fazzino inspired art work.

This term Year 5 have been looking Liverpool and cityscapes. We have studied the work of Charles Fazzino. We have created a double page spread about the artist as well as using line drawings to represent the things that we see.

We have then used the cityscapes of Liverpool to create our own Charles Fazzino inspired art work.

Year 6 – Independent Artist Study

This term, the Year 6 children got to independently choose their own project to complete. This started with a trip to the Williamson Art Gallery, where pupils could explore a wide range of art; including sculpture, fine art, pottery and abstract artworks. The children chose their favourite piece and tried to recreate it at the gallery. They then created a piece of work in the style of an artist they liked or in a medium of their choice. The discussion of different styles led them to explore abstract artists of the early 20th century, such as Kandinsky and Rothko. Then the children created their own works independently. Some chose fine pencil sketching, abstract art in the style of Kandinsky and some chose to use oil pastels to create atmospheric pieces displaying the transition from night to day. Many of our pieces showcase animals and nature, as this was the most popular display we saw in the Williamson Gallery, and our children wanted to recreate what they had seen.

Spring Term

Foundation 1 – Colour / Observational drawing

In Foundation 1, the children have explored using pastels and paint to draw pictures inspired by the artist Kandinsky. They have also completed observational drawings of spring flowers.

Foundation 2 - Mark making / painting/ pattern

In Foundation 2 the children have been exploring Spring. They have created transient art using flowers and plants. The children have developed their painting skills to paint still life of flowers. They have also investigated pattern and mark making on Easter eggs.

Year 1 – Sculpture and Plants

Year 1 have learnt about different kinds of manmade and natural sculptures and explored the work of Andy Goldsworthy. They went on a nature walk and collected different natural materials including, sticks, leaves and stones. The children then worked in small groups to build their own sculptures inspired by Andy Goldsworthy.

Year 2 – Painting/Sculpture

In Year 2 the children have developed their painting and drawing skills by completing observational drawings of flowers. They have investigated and learnt about the artist Pablo Picasso. For their final piece, the children created art work in the style of Picasso, using mixed media and layering.

Year 3 Egypt – Temples, Tombs and Treasures – Mixed Media/Collage

In Year 3, the children developed their use of mixed media, collage and drawing to create Pharaoh portraits. The children took inspiration from the mixed media artist, Derek Gores, to create their final pieces.

Year 4 - Smashing Saxons & Scots– Drawing/Sculpture/ Painting

In Year 4 the children have been learning about designers to create Anglo-Saxon style crosses and brooches, using card and a range of media. The children developed their sketching skills by completing drawings of different Anglo-Saxon symbols and designs. They have explored the history of jewellery and designers such as Tiffany & Co, Bulgari and Van Cleef Arpels.

Year 5 - Victorians – Drawing/ Printing

In Year 5 the children learnt about the English artist, William Morris. They completed observational drawings of flowers in the style of Georgia O’Keeffe and demonstrated their sketching skills, using a range of pencils and use of watercolours. The children developed their studies into a print designs using ‘press print’ tiles to complete their final piece.

Year 6 - Drawing/Sculpture

In Year 6 the children have been investigating and exploring the work of Henry Moore. They explored light and shade using pencil and charcoal before applying these to sketches. The children took inspiration from Henry Moore’s sculpture work and created their own tinfoil figures.

Autumn Term

Year 1   Ourselves – Drawing/Painting/Mixed Media

This term the children in Year 1 have learnt about portraits and the artist Andy Warhol. They developed their drawing techniques through mark making and experimenting with different media. They also looked at colour mixing to develop their knowledge of colour.  They then used photography and mixed media to create portraits in the style of Andy Warhol.

Year 2   Lovely Liverpool! –Drawing/Painting

Throughout the topic, the children studied Liverpool architecture, in particular the work of Steph Dekker. The children took inspiration from her work to create their own piece. Throughout their project, Year 2 looked at colouring mixing to develop their knowledge of colour. Their final piece gave them the opportunity to develop their mixed media skills and study how to use different materials to collage. 

Year 3   Scavengers and Settlers – Drawing/Painting

The children explored the history and style of cave paintings and developed their drawing techniques through animal drawings. They had opportunities to find out about the patterns used in aboriginal art through painting. For their final piece, the children created simple aboriginal art in their sketchbook.

Year 4   Ruthless Romans – Drawing/Painting/Printing

The children learnt how the Romans lived by looking at their art forms. They developed their colour knowledge through colour mixing in dark and light tones. They had opportunities to find out about the patterns, design and colours they used for their mosaics. For their final piece, the children created a simple mosaic patterned tile that they then printed.

Year 5    Tudors –Drawing/ Painting/ Collage

The children studied the work of Holbein and had the opportunity to develop their portrait skills to produce a portrait of Henry the VIII or one of his wives. The also looked at the artist Gustav Klimt and created a final mixed media work of themselves.

Year 6   The Incredible Mayans – Drawing/painting

The children were given the opportunity to research Mayan images, sculptures and masks. They used pencil, and pen to develop their sketching skills. The children researched Mr Trisno (a renowned Indonesian batik artist). Their final piece was a creation of a Mayan image.

There are a number of ways that you can support with your child’s learning at home in Art, please click here to look at the suggestions that Miss Quinlan has made for you:

At Bedford Drive Primary School we have constructed an ambitious Art Curriculum, which follows the content of the EYFS Statutory Framework and the National Curriculum. These documents, along with our school policy are available below.

You can keep up-to-date with our activities in school by following us on Twitter.