Presentation of our finished TAP  drawing project with 77 pupils from three 4th classes 

A great exhibition for friends and family to see all the work that 4th class had done during our project.  We opened with  two songs  ‘Ar Scáth a Chéile a Mhaireann na Daoine’, meaning we live under each other’s shadow, or we depend on each other, and ‘Pompeii as Gaeilge’ le Choláiste Lurgan. Bhí an-lá ar fad acu. Bhain gach duine ana thaithneamh as.

 A speech from the head master , and a few words from myself and muinteoir Nora.  So much work went into this display and the feedback from parents and pupils was fantastic ! Great conversations were had by all discussing art, nature, the environment , education and science.  
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Nora's 4th class pupils holding up their portfolios. with our framed water colour drawings in the background.

Beautifully drawn covers by the pupils of 4th class

We worked on the theme  ‘Ar Scáth a Chéile a Mhaireann na Daoine’, meaning we live under each other’s shadow, or we depend on each other.  One branch does not make a tree, so we planned to make a large scale triptych, consisting of 80 individual twigs/branches drawn in pencil and water colour to represent the old  ​seanfhocail 'we live under each other's shadow'

I carried out a series of drawing sessions between the 3 classes, introducing them to drawing- line and mark-making, blind drawing and drawing through their senses of touch, smell & taste , and sound.  This built confidence in the pupils to draw freely and to experiment and discover new ways of seeing the world around us.  Each exercise allowed them to express themselves, and a great part of this is the show and tell, the pupils loved showing their drawings and telling the story behind it.  These specific exercises allow every child to shine as there is no "good or bad" drawing , it's all about the process and fun rather than the finished piece, so it's very freeing and opens up creativity within each child.  

We used pressed leaves to practice blind drawing and close observation exercises in the classroom, in preparation for our field trip to Currabinny woods. 
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Two coaches arrive in Currabinny woods with 77 pupils all very excited to explore the woods through drawing, they made sketches as they observed all the wonderful details in the plants and trees of the woods. They also did a bug search and identified them using a bug kit.   

All of the drawing exercises we did in class were put into practice out in the woods. Great observation of details and noticing the richness of the eco systems in real life, discovering through their own curiosities how much is there to see when you slow down and look.   

Excellent use of drawing to record the details of a bug , the descriptive words to describe the bug also and a blind drawing to focus on the outlines/contours.  This page shows how the pupil was very engaged and focused on something so small as a bug and had the skills to document what they discovered for themselves and to share with the class later.   

Without a doubt the trip to Currabinny woods was a huge success, everyone  had fun and learned so much about the local woods

Back in the classroom - Each of the 77 pupils collected a twig from the forest, unique in every way just like we are.  The project was to draw your twig and paint in colours on the large paper, to symbolize the seanfocail ​  ‘Ar Scáth a Chéile a Mhaireann na Daoine’, meaning we live under each other’s shadow, or we depend on each other.  One branch does not make a tree.

Here is one of the three finished framed art works, signed by each pupil and will hang in the new school for years to come, memories encompassed forever.

To really show off the amount of work done throughout the project , we displayed all the sketchbooks and extra pages such as the Fibonacci code using math's and geometry , the code of nature. A word chart was also displayed showing the wide expansion of vocabulary each child had learnt along the way.  

Some of the positive feedback from the pupils reflecting on their experience of having an artist collaborating with them in their school.  

Students taking part in the workshop were given a masterclass in creative thinking through drawing, a morning introduction power point followed by a tailor made set of drawing exercises designed to help each pupil experience the creative process, free to make mistakes, trusting the process and being open to unexpected outcomes, developing ideas, looking at the world from new perspectives, discovering the extraordinary in the everyday, confidence in letting go of control of the outcome, having happy accidents and appreciating the uniqueness of our creativity , and using our diversity of skills within a collaboration for problem solving and creativity.  

Exploring the visual language of drawing through a line and mark making exercise, using simple materials of a pencil and paper, these exercises allowed students to draw freely responding to a felt line and a tactile response over a visual observation alone, by combing the sense of touch with sight they came up with a rich variety of interesting marks, and shared their discoveries in a show and tell after each exercise, each pupil had their own unique story, thoughts and feelings that inspired the group to become more creative and free in their drawings leaving out the critical voice, just letting it be, understanding that a sketchbook is a place for seeds to be planted, ideas to be born and perfection will only stunt that process.  Not to procrastinate, just draw and trust and don't worry about mistakes , it's part of the creative journey.

Exploring various marks, lines and tones using a pencil

Textural marks

Drawing through the sense of touch , working in pairs , both participants focus on touch to draw, one on the back the other blindfolded draws on the paper responding to there partners touch.  This exercise requires total focus and concentration , the blindfold allows the drawer to draw freely what they can feel without having any judgment or critical voice interrupt them during the process.  It is always a surprise when the finished drawing is revealed, they take turns being the drawer.  

.The afternoon was spent outdoors , where we split into two groups for more one on one guidance

Working with a small group explaining blind drawing and the benefits of drawing from real life to gather ideas and inspiration from the world around us.

Such a great opportunity to work one on one and give individual attention to these leaving cert students, answering their questions and giving advice on how to get creative when you have deadlines and a busy curriculum, on staying calm and focused, also using drawing as a mindful exercise to quiet a busy mind in the run up to exams. 

Cassandra working with the other group before we swapped over, Cassandra had some fun exercises to do outdoors to expand their ideas of what drawing can be.

Something that I always include in all my classes/workshops/art is nature and the outdoor environment whether its urban or rural.  The benefits of learning to see through drawing outdoors opens our eyes and all of our senses up. Connects us and enriches our experience of being in this world, being in nature has many benefits as we know, but to draw connects us deeper, invites us to be still and appreciate the beauty all around us.  If it's not possible to work outside I will always bring nature inside , and believe drawing from life can teach us so much.