by our exhibitions and the collection.
Capturing Nature
Pupils investigate how artists and designers from the 17th century to the present day have used nature as inspiration for their work. They will research still life, costume, paintings, sculpture and ceramics and record their responses with a range of media in the galleries, and use these drawings as a basis for experiment using wax trapping techniques in the studio.
Aims (Skills, Knowledge, Activity, Result)
- To discover how artists and designers have used nature as a starting point for the creation of their work.
- To understand how and why a selection of artists and designers have responded to the theme of nature in their time.
- To make drawings in the gallery in response to the artworks discussed which create links with other kinds of artwork seen.
- To use the ideas and drawings made in the gallery to make a composition and explore new ways of working such as wax trapping.
What happens in a workshop
We begin with a tour of the galleries, viewing a range of works from 17th century still life and Victorian ceramics to contemporary sculpture that uses actual natural objects. We discuss the artworks in terms of their time (in relation to art history, society and technology) and make connections between each. The children make sketches in response to elements of the artworks using pastels, crayons and colouring pencils and use their drawings to develop their own work in the studio. They experiment with a wax trapping technique, inspired by an exhibit in the gallery that uses a similar idea. The children then have the opportunity to begin working into their wax trapping in a variety of ways, perhaps with ink or thread, which could be further developed at school.
Prepare for your visit
- Discuss with the children the value of experiencing real artworks through a gallery visit, rather than seeing reproductions.
- Collect images of art or objects that use the theme of nature, consider what style has been used, and how popular natural forms are.
- Find out how to plan your visit, including booking information, parking, facilities and a downloadable risk assessment.
What people are saying about the workshop
“I wish we could have stayed all day!”
“It was really good, I learned how to sew.”
Year 5 pupils, Cheetham CofE Community School
