What’s Happening in Visual Arts in Term 1 2026
FOUNDATION:
In Term 1, Foundation students will be introduced to organisational processes in Art. They will become aware of the art room environment and how to work safely with equipment and materials. Students will create a self-portrait and explore colour-transfer through the use of crepe paper and water to produce a vibrant background. They will create a paper sculpture using their imagination to guide their creativity. Through the use of movement, the students will learn about all different types of lines such as vertical, horizontal, zig zag, etc. They will explore the technique of watercolour resist using oil pastels and watercolour paint to create their artwork. Finally, the students will participate in a collaborative whole-school artwork in celebration of Harmony Day.
GRADE 1:
In Term 1, Grade 1 students will revisit organisational processes in Art and how to safely engage in a range of activities, using a variety of tools in the art room. They will develop their knowledge on warm and cool colours and how they can be used to represent or evoke emotions. The students will be using these tones to create a self-portrait, inspired by ‘Senecio’, an artwork by Cubist artist Paul Klee. They will also explore geometric and organic lines, and how to create contrast by using both types of linework. Finally, the students will participate in a collaborative whole-school artwork in celebration of Harmony Day.
GRADE 2:
In Term 1, Grade 2 students will revisit organisational processes in Art and how to safely engage in a range of activities, using a variety of tools in the art room. They will complete a multi-week unit on self-portraiture, following steps to create a realistic drawing of their own face. The students will explore the concepts of symmetry and proportion and use grey lead pencil and chalk pastels to create their self-portrait which completes the other half of their school photograph. Students will review their understanding of colour, line and pattern to create a striking border for their self-portrait. Finally, the students will participate in a collaborative whole-school artwork in celebration of Harmony Day.
GRADE 3:
In Term 1, Grade 3 students will revisit organisational processes in Art and how to safely engage in a range of activities, using a variety of tools in the art room. They will explore the work of Romero Britto, a Brazilian artist whose work shows elements of pop art, cubism and graffiti. Using his many portraits as inspiration, the students will create a self-portrait that showcases a similar use of colour, line, shape and pattern, reflecting their own personality. Using the technique of collage, they will create an eye-catching background and use skills such as tracing, cutting and printing to create their multi-layered art piece. Finally, the students will participate in a collaborative whole-school artwork in celebration of Harmony Day.
GRADE 4:
In Term 1, the Grade 4 students will be inspired by Gustav Klimt’s painted portraits to create their own self-portrait artworks. They will explicitly learn how to use guidelines in order to draw facial features with correct proportion, as well as how to use chalk pastel to achieve a full-coloured artwork that shows variation in tone. The students will then explore geometric and organic line and shape to overlay areas of their artwork with their choice of coloured pattern. Referencing Klimt’s use of opulent colour in his ‘Golden Period’ works, they will finish off their artwork with touches of metallic paint. Finally, the students will participate in a collaborative whole-school artwork in celebration of Harmony Day.
GRADE 5:
In Term 1, the Grade 5 students will firstly focus on their use of line to create an abstract self-portrait, which will continue over multiple sessions. The students will experiment with the techniques required to create a single-line drawing, including an adjusted pencil grip to allow for a free-flowing line whilst they observe their facial features in a hand-held mirror. Once they have created three single-line drawings of different angles of their face, the students will use their favourite one to trace using craft wire. The students will learn how to use pliers to bend and shape the wire to mimic the organic lines found in contour line drawings. Finally, the students will participate in a collaborative whole-school artwork in celebration of Harmony Day.
GRADE 6:
In Term 1, the Grade 6 students will firstly focus on their use of line, shape and colour to create a self-portrait inspired by Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, which will continue over multiple sessions. They will create their drawing by referencing a photograph of themselves looking into a mirror, showing both their side profile as well as their full face in the reflection. By frequently referring back to the image to assist with proportion, the students will use grey lead pencil to create a realistic drawing, before going over their linework with fine liner and adding colour using watercolour paint. This small-scale drawing will then be encompassed by a handmade frame showcasing bold colours and shapes, reminiscent of Mexican art. Finally, the students will participate in a collaborative whole-school artwork in celebration of Harmony Day.