News & Editorial


October 25, 2021

This workshop will address translating a set text/narrative into a series of illustrations. The complexity and length of the text can be adapted to the proposed duration of the workshop and the age of the students.

Michelle will take the students/participants through the process of creating a rough, initial visual storyboard, from which they will select at least one rough draft to work up as a final illustration so a set size ratio.

The set text teaches participants the specific requirements of professional illustration where the artwork is invariably working with subject matter which may, at least in part, require them to draw elements/objects they would not consider by choice.

They will also investigate working to a set size across several drawings and having to adjust their compositions/ideas accordingly, taking into account text placement, scale issues and centre lines of double-page spreads. We will also address issues of keeping continuity across a series of drawings

I will also address the importance of the artist bringing their own visual contribution/subtext to the narrative.

Students will be encouraged to work images/illustrations up in their own choice of materials, ie Collage, pen and ink, watercolour, paint, colour pencil or a combination of media.

Topics covered

  • Translating text to image
  • Storyboarding
  • Mockups
  • Drawing to scale
  • Composition
  • Continuity.
  • Use of materials.

Sue Andersen

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October 25, 2021

Using text and verbal cues the students will create creatures/monsters based on myths and legends

Michelle will work with collage as a means for the students to create a creature based on a myth. Students will have a collage resource sheet of various animals and textures from which to construct their interpretation of the creature. They will then be assisted to create a drawing based on their collage and place it in a setting.

Students will be encouraged to make the creature their own in terms of interpretation and embellishment and also to start developing an imagined life for the creature and to illustrate that (ie its habitat, diet, likes and dislikes).

This workshop will encourage students to develop a character from a text and introduce them to using collage as both an illustration means in its own right and as a catalyst for other artworks.

The duration and complexity of this workshop can be adapted to the age group of the intended students.

Topics covered

  • Mythical Creature collage to the description
  • Drawing/painting a creature based on the collage
  • And/or using a combination of collage textures and draw features
  • Placing the creature in a setting
  • Character development

Sue Andersen


October 25, 2021

This presentation and workshop explores the elements of creating a childrens’ picture book, using Benjamin’s popular book The Travel Bug as an example. In this workshop, children are assisted to develop their own idea in a group setting (group verse writing) and create a 2-page spread.

anika


October 25, 2021

Experience the magic and creative expression that comes with using a journal. In this hands-on workshop, Asphyxia leads participants through a process that will help them dive into their very first journal, or expand their repertoire if they already keep one. Students will prepare pages in their book ready for future use, create a multi-layered page or two, and learn techniques for self-expression that they can use daily. 

Asphyxia is passionate about journaling and sees her journal as a daily friend and companion.  Asphyxia’s journals are both stunning and inspiring, filled with paint, collage, photos, writing and beautiful papers. These journals are a great reference of inspiration for students. Asphyxia will describe her process to express daily experiences on the page. 

As a Deaf artist, Asphyxia inspires audiences to follow their dreams, whatever their abilities. Through her talk, she provides an insight into the expressiveness of sign language, and encourages audiences to create, to make, to write and to express themselves visually. 

Asphyxia is a vibrant speaker who will have audiences captivated throughout her presentation.

Topics covered

  • Creative self-expression
  • Journaling
  • The expressiveness of sign language 

anika


October 25, 2021

Author, Erin Knutt and illustrator, Misa Alexander present a dynamic workshop where they use their picture book, Fergus & Delilah, to explore diversity and inclusion. Students will have the opportunity to explore the similarities and differences of the characters through life-sized props, discussion, illustrations and a bit of dance and music thrown in the middle. 

Students will then work alongside Misa as they draw their own characters and reflect on how they can be inclusive of others. Finally, participants will make their own blockhead craft, complete with wires for hair, that they can take home or showcase at school! 

Topics covered

  • Differences and Similarities
  • Character choices
  • Inclusion
  • Storyline
  • Power of Illustrations

Curriculum outcomes 

  • Examine Literature
  • Recognise similarities and differences in individuals and groups, and explore how these are celebrated and respected.
  • Understand that people use different systems of communication to cater to different needs and purposes and many people may use sign systems to communicate with others.
  • Explore ideas, experiences, observations and imagination to create visual artworks and design.

anika

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October 25, 2021

Míša’s Dynamic Still Life workshop explores a wide variety of artistic techniques and skills. Dynamic Still life is taking one object and exploring it in several ways. Misa will introduce students to different techniques on how to visually interpret one object. Students will begin with continuous line drawing and move to pastel scratching, pen and watercolour painting and finally a layering approach with acrylic paints.

Topics covered

  • Inspiration
  • Analysing still life
  • Application of varying techniques
  • Defining spatial awareness
  • Explore abstract thinking
  • Overcome failure
  • Learn new things

Curriculum outcomes 

  • They demonstrate different techniques and processes in planning and making artworks.
  • Thinking imaginatively, creatively and interpretatively
  • Expressing themselves

anika

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October 25, 2021

Míša is passionate about art and loves to inspire and encourage students of all ages. In this workshop students will first explore and discuss art portraiture in history and the evolution of style followed by learning a practical guide to proportions of the facial structure and how to create a face.

Students will then learn to think outside the box with a continuous line drawing of an object (ie. A pear) followed by another continuous line drawing of themself using the right side of the brain to look at the light & shadows as well as the details in their faces. They will then turn this base drawing into a masterpiece with colour, texture and collage.

Each art session is tailored to specific age groups.

Topics covered

  • Inspiration & history of art
  • Defining spatial awareness
  • Exploring abstract thinking
  • Overcoming failure
  • Learning new things

Curriculum outcomes 

  • Use materials, techniques and processes to explore visual conventions when making artworks
  • Thinking imaginatively, creatively and interpretatively
  • Expressing themselves
  • History

anika

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