Art

Art History

Throughout both key stages children will be given access to art history education in order to develop skills of visual analysis, research and communication as well as build on empathy, tolerance and mutual respect for world cultures.  Children are taught, and expected to remember, key dates and facts but are also taught to recognise distinguishing features of an artist’s work and enabled to place a painting within its context.  Throughout their primary education, children will encounter a range of art movements and associated artists, as well as study more contemporary and lesser known artists.

Composition

In the visual arts, composition refers to how the artwork is put together. It is how the artist intentionally used the elements and principles of art and design to create the artwork. The placement of objects within the picture plane is not an arbitrary act, but is the result of calculated decisions. Through the study of individual pieces, children will learn how artists lead the viewer into and around their composition and will be able to use this knowledge to create their own pieces. Children will be taught to use the elements and principles of art and design intentionally to create focal point, create mood, and give directional cues that will help the viewer navigate their work and therefore avoid the middle of the page images that are all too often produced at primary level.

Colour Theory

In each of the main areas of study: drawing, painting and sculpture, children will be taught aspects of colour theory.  The children know that colour theory is used to describe the collection of rules regarding the use of colour in art and design.  Colour theory informs the design of colour schemes, aiming at aesthetic appeal and the effective communication of a design message on both the visual level (colour as light) and the psychological level (colours as symbols and emotions).  This knowledge is used to communicate their thoughts about the art work being studied as well as inform their own creative choices.

In Key Stage 1 children are introduced to the basics of colour theory.  They use the correct vocabulary and know that red, blue and yellow are the primary colours.  They know that these cannot be mixed or formed by any combination of other colours.  They know that all other colours are derived from these three hues.  They mix two primary colours to form the secondary colours (orange, green and purple) and know that adding white to a base colour forms tints and black to a base colour forms shades.  When looking at works of art children begin to talk about how the colours make them feel.

In Key Stage 2 children build on their knowledge and related vocabulary.  Children explore warm and cool colours, complementary colours, and analogous, triadic and monochromatic schemes in pieces of art. They are able to use this language when discussing works of art and the effects these have on the audience.  They are able to verbalise their choices and desired effects when talking about their own creative choices.