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Parson Cross Primary School ‘Forest of Trees’

The finished 'Forest of Trees' displayed together on a table in the classroom.
The finished 'Forest of Trees' displayed together on a table in the classroom.

I visited Parson Cross Primary School in early February, where I had been invited to run a workshop for a Y2 class in the afternoon. 

‘Forest of Trees’ inspired by David Hockney’s paintings

Students produced painted cardboard sculptures, inspired by David Hockneys paintings, especially his landscape and tree paintings of the Yorkshire Wolds. The students also looked at the printed wooden artworks of Sam Groom printmaker.

Developing a range of skills in painting including using poster paint and mark making tools to create interesting patterns and textures in the paint. Students enriched their understanding of the colour wheel, including complimentary and analogous colours. They selected appropriate brushes and other mark making tools to create a range of marks, lines, patterns and textures using Hockney’s paintings as a starting point. The students also considered the positioning of their painted cardboard pieces and then constructed them using slots in the cardboard, to make ‘tree’ like sculptural forms which were then arranged together on a table in the classroom to create a ‘Forest of Trees’.

David Hockney painting 'Winter Timber'.
David Hockney painting 'Winter Timber'.
Detail of a David Hockney ipad painting, No 125, 19th March 2020
Detail of a David Hockney ipad painting, 'No 125, 19th March 2020'.
Table showing painted cardboard tubes and other flat painted pieces of cardboard. A pot of water and brushes.
Table showing painted cardboard tubes and a palette with paint in.
Table showing painted cardboard tubes and flat shapes and a palette with paint in.
Table showing painted cardboard tubes and a palette with paint in.
Table showing painted cardboard tubes and a palette with paint in.

Do you think the workshop activity was appropriate for your class?

Yes, the activity linked perfectly to our David Hockney topic and extended the children’s skills when it came to using paint and the different ways to apply it.
 

Could you describe any aspects of the visit you thought were particularly successful and why?

It was wonderful to see the children have the opportunity to unleash their creativity as they had the freedom to choose their own patterns, shapes, colours and textures for their sculpture.
 
Are there any students whom you thought were particularly inspired or responded in unexpected ways? If so can you give me a little more detail about this? 
 
It was the first time that our students had met somebody who had made a career out of creating art. They were in awe and it opened their eyes to what the future can hold if they work hard and pursue their dreams.

 

What would you say was the impact of my visit on the students who I worked with?

The room was filled with absolute joy. Many of the children left school saying ‘That was the best day ever!’
 
Do you have any other comments?
 
Thank you very much for the planning, prepping, communication and delivery. The process was smooth and the workshop was certainly a success!