Art

Research 

Artist Explorer 
Pick a famous artist (like Frida Kahlo, Vincent van Gogh, Yayoi Kusama) and create a one-page fact file about their life, style, and most famous works. Include images and your opinions. 

Art Around the World 
Research a traditional art form from another country or culture (e.g. Aboriginal dot painting, Chinese calligraphy, African masks). Present what you learned through a poster, slide, or mini-book. 

Create 

Nature Art Challenge 
Create a piece of artwork using only natural materials (e.g. leaves, twigs, stones, flowers). Take a photo and write a short explanation of the idea behind it. 

Recreate a Masterpiece 
Choose a famous painting and recreate it using items found at home (props, costumes, digital tools, or drawing). The emphasis is on creativity and interpretation, not perfection. 

Oracy 

Artwork Talk Show 
Choose a famous piece of art and prepare a short “interview” in which you pretend to be the artist discussing your work. You could record it as a video/audio clip or perform it live at home for family. 

Art Critic’s Corner 
Pick a piece of art you’ve seen (in a book, gallery, online) and record yourself giving a short critique: describing what you see, how it makes you feel, and what you think the artist was trying to show. 

Research

Read ‘The Art Book’ – published by Phaidon. Develop your knowledge of cubism by reading about the cubist movement and artists of this time: https://artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/art_movements/cubism.htm

Go to the library and familiarise yourself with the range of artbooks they have. Ask the librarian to show you the different sections. Select a book to read and have a conversation about your choice of art book.

Create

Find a piece of art that inspires you and write about why.

Read about artist William Morris: https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/introducing-william-morris

Choose one of his artworks and write a paragraph to describe the work, include your own opinion of his work.

Buy or make your own sketchbook:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V0NAyBCbBA

Challenge yourself to fill a page of your sketchbook each week. This could be a drawing/sketch/painting/collage etc.

Oracy

https://www.moma.org/audio/playlist/289/140

Listen to the short audio describing the artwork by Pablo Picasso

Create a video of your 'walk amongst trees' or another atmospheric place. Add sound and descriptive commentary.

Research

Visit a local art gallery and research one of the pieces of art in more detail that you have seen.

Research local artist Sarah Graham, who is she, what is her art work about, where does she live, why are her paintings so impressive?

Create

Create an A4 watercolour or acrylic painting of something found in your garden (flower, gardening boots, gnome, leaf, bird etc).

Create an A4 copy of a famous piece of art by Vincent van Gogh, using paints, coloured pencils or oil pastels.

Oracy

Watch this video about Paul Cezanne: How Cezanne Changed Art | Tate Kids

Teach someone at home how to create a pencil observational drawing of a piece of fruit/veg, which includes light outlines, gradual blended tonal shading (no finger smudging), fine detail and texture.

Research 

Research an art movement of your choice (e.g., Surrealism, Impressionism, Bauhaus). Create a one-page fact sheet or poster covering key artists, features, techniques, and legacy. 

Research a piece of public art, graffiti, or a local artist in your area. Find out who created it, the meaning or story behind it, and what the public reaction has been. 

Create 

Create a small sculpture using found or recycled materials from around your home or garden. Take photos from multiple angles and write a brief explanation of your concept. 

Select one object (e.g., a shoe, fruit, cup) and draw it in five different styles or media (e.g., pencil sketch, collage, continuous line, Cubist, Pop Art). 

Oracy 

Choose a favourite artwork or artist and prepare a 3–5 minute talk explaining why it resonates with you. Discuss the artist’s background, techniques, and your personal interpretation. 

Find a virtual gallery tour (e.g., Tate Modern or The National Gallery online). Select three artworks and record yourself giving short (1–2 min) voiceover-style explanations or critiques as if you were guiding a visitor. 

Research

Choose a current exhibition.

Read reviews and information about it in newspapers and the gallery website.

Research the artist/s.

Visit the exhibition and write your own review in the same style as what you have read.

Get in touch with an ex-student who has studied an art degree.

Or go to the 'New Designers' Exhibition' in June/July and communicate with the exhibitors.

Find out about their courses and subsequent employment.

Create

Respond creatively to the following question. 

Incorporate relevant words, texts or quotes into or alongside your response. 

What type of marks should you as an artist make at this time in history and why?

Do a series of quick sketches of a person or animal without expecting them to keep still.

Adapt and work over your drawing if they move.

Oracy

Royal Academy Podcast: From a curator’s discussion of gardens in art to a debate on contemporary urban gardening, we present a round-up of podcasts on our exhibition.

Painting the Modern Garden: podcast round-up | Blog | Royal Academy of Arts

Watch artist interviews: Artist Claudette Johnson – 'Giving Space to the Presence of a Black Woman' - YouTube