Inspiration

Let’s face it, students often groan when you set homework. Even when you’ve planned something you think is enjoyable. You’re eating into their personal time, and even if they actually enjoy it when they get down to it, their ‘do we have to face’ is demotivating even for the most enthusiastic, resilient teacher. Art Homework […]

Drawing artefacts is a wonderful way to bring the museum into your classroom. Many students find artefacts particularly appealing — there’s something captivating about objects that have survived across time. They carry stories, textures and traces of the people who made or used them. Their aged, often weathered surfaces lend themselves beautifully to observational drawing […]

MY BACKGROUND I’ve been an art teacher for almost 30 years in southwest London. I did my degree in Illustration (with Sarah, The Arty Teacher) and then went on to do my PGCE in Secondary Art and Design. I love teaching art and right from the beginning, I saw how the pastoral side of school […]

Flicking through an artist’s sketchbook can be a joy; there are so many inspiring sketchbooks to discover. There is something more intimate about it than looking at an artwork on a wall. You’re holding their creativity and thoughts in your hands, and you go on a journey through their ideas as you turn the pages. […]

Are you looking for photography tasks to raise attainment? You’re in the right place. I was recently looking at the portfolios of some low-ability candidates from a special school. They had clearly had an excellent teacher as the process was all there and I could see how she had guided them to fulfil the assessment […]

How do we encourage intellectual development in art lessons? As art teachers, we know our subject offers more than just practical skills. While the ability to draw, paint, and manipulate materials is important, we must also prioritise the intellectual development of our students. Art is a thinking subject. It asks young people to make sense […]