In year 8 students build upon skills taught in year 7 and are introduced to our ‘Day of the Dead’ themed project. Students investigate the project title via primary research, secondary research, developmental ideas and ultimately create a final piece. Students discover the art of print making and complete a series of prints using lino, mono printing and poly printing.

These processes allow students to learn printing methods in more depth and explore negative and positive shapes, repeat patterns, intricate designs and printing onto layered backgrounds. Students grow in confidence and develop how to handle new materials to improve technical skills when using both coloured and Indian ink. Focusing on studies by Carissa Rose to create research pages, recalling artist information and transcriptions of her work and style. Students create a clay tile using polymer clay and practice handling 3D materials and manipulating clay using tools such as smoothing tools and cutting tools.

A strong emphasis is placed on the students’ final piece, which is inspired by Carissa Rose’s work and help guide students towards a medium they are confident with using.