I love the way children draw and paint but even taking that into account I’ve been blown away by the extraordinary work children have been creating this half term at the National Gallery. Definitely a great new generation of artists coming our way, and what lucky children to take part in these free workshops at the National Gallery in London!
The younger children began by looking at the paintings of Turner and, after making some sketches actually in the gallery, they went to the education department for a chance to do something more painterly (and messy!). They’ve all thrown themselves into it with absolute abandonment, creating gorgeous and unexpected twists on the idea of “painting weather”. Some few pictures are posted here – the days have been so busy, there’s been barely time to pause and grab a camera. But what great days they have been – filled with stories and fun and art. Their pictures were created with emulsion paint – ideal for Turner with the subtle and muted colours.
The older children (12-17) also started with Turner, and took up the idea of bringing things into more focus; imagining they could climb inside. With the story of Ulysses and the Cyclops (inspired by Turner’s painting of Ulysses deriding Polyphemus), they took their Turneresque sketches and expanded them (“drawing out the elements” as the workshop was called; a reference also to the weather in the pictures). In this instance, the children used more illustrative materials: pens and watercolours, preceeded by pencil sketches in the gallery. It was interesting to note how much more self-conscious teenagers are and how soon a child loses that ability to be reckless and experimental. But I think they had fun too (even if it was uncool to admit it!). Last workshop for children today, then an event on friday for adults. A busy busy week, but what an honour to be working in such a magnificent building!
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