Description
“I am not a painter, I am not creative enough!”
Unfortunately, students, as well as adults, often talk (and think!) like this, inside and outside of school contexts.
But why is this the case? Is such a view well founded?
As a matter of fact, art is often associated with talent. Consequently, many people think they are not entitled to engage in artistic work, and leave aside the many (re)creative skills (e.g., manual skills, observation skills, interpersonal skills, handwriting) often associated with artistic practice.
Art performance however promotes a healthy psychological state of flow, is a perfect anti-stress tool, and facilitates self-expression. Moreover, it can serve as a vehicle for team building and for creating a positive learning environment.
When one considers its benefits, it is easy to conclude that art-making should not be reserved for a minority of “geniuses” or “experts!”
Participants will practice basic drawing techniques to learn how to sketch the human figure, nature landscape, and other elements from personal visual research. They will also learn to address the perception of edges, spaces, light, shadow, and the overall perception of the drawing, stimulating a proper “Way of Seeing”.
Moreover, participants will discover traditional and intuitive (not academic!) painting techniques inspired by artistic masterworks in Barcelona as well as its architecture and art.
This course allows teachers to work with different tools and materials such as pencils, charcoals, soft pastels, watercolors, acrylics, and mixed media – and also includes a session dedicated to “Trencadís” the typical Antoni Gaudí’s broken tile mosaic!
Overall, the trainer will facilitate shared reflection, and bring the group to discuss and plan the use of art in teaching participants’ curricular subjects. This course is also suitable as a team building occasion for teachers and school staff.
Finally, the course will engage participants in creative and artistic warm-ups – inspired by famous artists – that they can use to energize their students and themselves when feeling tired or demotivated.
By the end of the course, participants will have acquired a set of drawing and painting techniques that they can reuse in their private life or in their school life.
They will feel more confident in their artistic capacities, and ready to incorporate creativity in their teaching practice in a non-judgmental way, regardless of the level of their own or students’ skills.
This course is designed for anyone with or without previous artistic training or knowledge.
Learning outcomes
The course will help participants to:
- Reinforce the idea that anybody is entitled to practice art!
- Gain confidence in their artistic skills;
- Practice a variety of drawing and painting techniques indoors and outdoors;
- Implement artistic activities while teaching their subject;
- Be aware of the value of creative expression;
- Connect with themselves and others through art;
- Suspending self-criticism and judgment while performing arts;
- Exploit art as a vehicle for focus and concentration, well-being, self-expression, cooperation, and… fun!
- Receive artistic inspiration from Barcelona’s masterworks and cultural heritage.
Tentative schedule
Day 1 – Let’s warm our art up!
- Introduction to the course, the school, and the external week activities;
- Icebreaker activities;
- Presentations of the participants’ schools;
- Draw with the right side of your brain! Warm up your eyes and hands!
Day 2 – Making art practice through drawing (1)
- Warm up with a creative activity!
- The fundamental elements of art applied to drawing (part 1): lines, light (chiaroscuro), color and texture, shape, and composition;
- Introduction to perspective and sight-size technique;
- Drawing from objects and pictures;
- Group discussion: “drawing in the classroom, pros, and cons”.
Day 3 – Making art practice through drawing (2)
- Warm up with a creative activity!
- The fundamental elements of art applied to drawing (part 2): lines, light (chiaroscuro), color and texture, shape, and composition;
- Introduction to Intuitive drawing and sketching;
- Outdoor drawing from city landscape and nature;
- Group discussion: “how to introduce drawing into our lessons”.
Day 4 – Making art practice through painting (1)
- Warm up with a creative activity!
- The fundamental elements of art applied to painting;
- Presentation of painting materials (acrylics, soft pastels)
- Painting from Masters and from nature;
- Group discussion: “Art and wellbeing in school”.
Day 5 – Making art practice through painting (2)
- Warm up with a creative activity!
- Presentation of painting materials (watercolors, mixed media)
- Intuitive painting and painting from emotions;
- Group discussion: “Making art a practice while teaching my subject”.
Day 6 – Course closure and cultural activities
- Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion.
- Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance.
- Excursion and other external cultural activities.