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Still Life Workshop



This workshop was the first we did. It almost felt like an reintroduction to drawing. It was a great experiencing as it helped to get into the mindset of the pupil. Speaking as a group (myself and my other PMEs) we agreed that first years expect a lot from themselves. That they are focused on wanting to get the "perfect drawing." Even reflecting on some of the classes I have had with the first years, there are a number of pupils that if they are unhappy with a drawing will attempt to rub it out entirely or even cross it out.  From their mistakes they can learn and for the pupils to be comfortable with making mistakes so they can properly learn from them.

That it can be frustrating to not be able to accurately depict the object in front, or more so in my own case, to not have my hands and eye working to their best ability due to lack of practice. It was a strange experience, to remember producing much better quality works but to be out of practice. I started with blind drawings, so as to loosen up and  to get familiar with my primary source. I also used the techniques that I would be going through with my pupils. I then tried continuous line drawing, contour line drawing and then moved onto shading.

Writing notes helped to document my thought process on the drawings. It also gave me opportunity to be patient with myself and to reflect on the drawings that I have completed. Time management was also something I had forgotten in terms of Drawing in a School setting where pupils won't have all day to draw as they have other classes to attend.

It was great drawing as a group again and doing a peer review of our drawings together. It puts us in the shoes of the pupils. It was daunting to have others look at work that I was not the most confident about. However it was a great experience to see the work of my peers. Seeing their style and skill, it was a thoroughly enjoyable learning experience. Highlighting how it would be useful in the classroom, as a team building experience as well as a confidence building exercise.


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