Year 8 – Autumn 1

To begin the year, year 8 looks to answer the question: How do artists use paint?

They begin by experimenting to see what types of marks they can make by using different tools and mediums, before exploring the work of disabled artist Sarah Biffin. Biffin was born without any arms and went on to become a successful miniature artist. The students experiment making marks with paint without being able to use their hands.

Students then move onto replicating the texture of a feather using paint – feathers appear in some of Biffin’s most famous works. Students gain an understanding of how hard it is to replicate the texture of a feather when able to use their arms, considering the fact that Biffin had to use her mouth to control the paint brush.

Students then explore the work of African finger painter Jack Kabangu, experimenting making marks using their fingers before completing an abstract self-portrait in the style of Kabangu.

Finally, students are introduced to the work of Russell Powell, a hand-print painter. Powell creates his art by using his hand as a canvas for painting intricate portraits before printing them onto paper. Students have the opportunity to create their own hand-printed portrait – for those not wishing to get messy, they can make a Styrofoam hand to complete the print.

Throughout year 8 students are encouraged to continue to develop their skills in evaluation and annotation.