Learning from the Masters

Year 12 in IB Visual Arts, working on self-portrait, were trying to recreate an example of their chosen artist’s work in colour, to help them to understand visually and technically how their work is created. They focused on artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, chosen for his thick application of paint called impasto and rounded brush-strokes. Frida Kahlo who used techniques that included bold and vibrant colors and symbols was an inspiration too. Others following Francis Bacon, tried to embrace accidents and let abstraction convey sensation.

Year 11 in IGCSE Arts & Design are working on their portfolio coursework ”Sense of Place” and they went exploring many artists to develop their project.  Learning from artist models is the best and easiest way to learn new techniques and compositional approaches. Claude Monet’s brush stroke is a key feature of some replicas. The technique is achieved through hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, dry brushing. David Hockney inspired portraits of  individuals in their home environment in a realistic style. While Edward Hopper who focused on the solitude of modern life, inspired others.