Village schoolchildren work with Melton artist on impressive art project
A local artist has been giving tips to village schoolchildren as part of an innovative National Gallery project.
Pupils from Ab Kettleby and Somerby Primary Schools worked together and with artist Nicola Ward to develop their artistic skills through a range of activities tailored to their age groups.
It is an annual initiative to help the schools achieve the Artsmark Award, accredited by Arts Council England, which recognises their commitment to providing high-quality arts and cultural opportunities for pupils.
Each year, children from the two schools work together to create a whole-school piece of artwork inspired by a painting selected as part of the National Gallery Take One Picture project.
This year’s focus was Albert Cuyp’s River Landscape with Horsemen and Peasants, with Nicola commenting: “It was a pleasure to return to these schools to work with the children.
"They produced some amazing art whilst learning new skills.”
Reception and Year one pupils observed the appearance of trees and used acrylic paints, working from dark to light to create realistic effects.
Years two and three sketched horses’ heads using simple shapes, such as circles and triangles, before using HB pencils to shade sheep and cows, exploring texture and shadow.
And children in Years four, five and six created their own landscapes using watercolours, experimenting with texture and working from light to dark to develop depth and perspective.
Andrea Brown, who is headteacher of both schools, said: “It is fabulous to be able to offer our children the chance to work with someone as talented as Nicola.
"It is even more special that she is a local Melton artist.”