This project was carried out during covid 19 lockdown, restrictions were in level 5 when we begun our project last January.  The first sessions were done remotely through zoom with pupils from 5th & 6th class participating.  We had a great time drawing and learning through zoom, it worked quite well, I was really impressed with the interest and focus every week from all pupils.  The majority of the project happened online , so I kept it simple and this resulted in a beautiful drawing project that we completed together in person with two visits to Fitzgerald's Park in Cork city a short distance from the school.  We were also very fortunate with the weather on these days.  The final art works were made all the 5th class pupils in their pods, it wasn't possible to include 6th class at the final stage for safety reasons.  

Working together in pods outdoors in the park on a lovely sunny day.

Making rubbings using graphite sticks from their art packs that I supplied during the project.

Enjoying the space and fresh air, drawing and putting all their new drawing skills into practice drawing from life with all our senses.

5th class pupils admiring their 'Big Pencil & Paper Drawing Show' on display in the schools hall.  

A lot of time and effort went into selecting and editing work from our large selection of drawings made during our 2 trips to the park.  Each one was mounted and hung under the classes very large group drawing above, every pupil was represented individually as well as collectively.

Detail from the drawings , all drawings were made while outdoors in the park with only paper and pencil, the pupils were observing the surrounding natural environment with all their senses and responding through drawing.  

A sound Map

Photo credit Jim Coughlan (Evening Echo) Journalist Ellie Bryne visited Star of the Sea as part of her two page spread article reporting on our project and how I believe drawing should be part of the school curriculum.   

We took the schools name as our theme for the project - Star of the Sea - Here is the plan I proposed and carried out , the project was completed just before the first lock down began , unfortunately we couldn't have an open exhibition to the public because of the restrictions.
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 STARS – we will look at celestial navigation, there are 58 main stars used in celestial navigation.  Each star has a name, linked to animals and myth, when each student picks a star by lucky dip, they will come up with drawing that represents that star e.g. “Capella” Aurigae – which means little she- goat.  These simple line drawings will then be mono printed onto a large sheet of paper , white on black. 

1. Water- Why is water blue? Why is the sky Blue? How can we draw water? How many words do we know that are connected to water, H2O, iceberg, uisce, eddies etc and new words like a limnologist.  We will have a word each that is connected to water and it will be part of the final drawing.  Also, what is the role of water on earth and in our bodies, understanding how water is life, water gives planet earth life. 
   

Our set up for the water colour on yupo , each pupil took it in turns to add their water lines onto this group drawing.

The water colour on Yupo paper had a beautiful effect , very vivid blue with silver text hand written by each pupil.  It really captured the essence of the sea.

We made blue paper sculptures which were all shaped and molded around each pupils hand celebrating our uniqueness and the value of the handmade.  Originally the plan was to create an installation along with the drawings in their exhibition , but this was not possible due to covid restrictions closing schools in the first lockdown.   

A pupil writing the name of her star on our nautical navigation map

Each one of the pupils designed their own star , and learned its name and meaning, then we put them altogether to make the mono print.

Detail of the final piece , the star map and the water drawing.

One of the highlights of our project was the trip to Blackrock Castle Observatory.  Both of the 3rd classes came on a coach and we spent an amazing morning getting the full guided educational tour, fully immersed into all things space , but specifically focusing on nautical navigation , each child got to see their chosen star from the project in the star dome projection tent and our amazing guide Caoimhin was full of knowledge and stories for each one. This space tour was gifted to us very generously by the castle events manager Clair Mc Sweeney and they offered us a space to exhibit our project in the castle, but again covid prevented  this from going ahead. The trip to the observatory brought our project to life, it enriched our learning and sparked great curiosity and inspiration for all the pupils.  Overall , the drawing project connected all the various subjects together , from art history to STEAM to local history and gave a great sense of connection to the pupils who all worked on this together.  

And we made the Evening Echo newspaper !

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.

Students from Scoil Mhachan planting trees on the school grounds with artist Carol Healy & biologist Darragh Murphy 

March 5 – 12
“Art and Maths of Trees”
During Tree week 2017 Blackrock Castle Observatory in association with Qualcomm ,  workshops were held in Scoil Mhachan Gaoil Scoil, Nagle Community college and Ashbourne House Direct Provision Centre. 
 
During the workshops the students had a hands on session of art, sketching and close observation of trees in the locale and a mathematical study of tree growth.
The workshops were run by Darragh Murphy Biologist and Educator www.dmurphynature.com
and Artist Carol Healy http://www.carolhealy.com
Tree Walk
On Monday March 6th at 16.00 – 18.00 there will be a guided walk for families from BCO along the line this is open to the public.

We had a beautiful day in Ashbourne House , exploring the gardens many different tree species, the children aged from 5 up to 15 each had a handmade sketchbook and drawing materials to explore observation through drawing exercises. We did rubbings, blind drawing and sensory drawing.  All ages enjoyed this fun way of discovering natures beauty that is right on their doorstep.  

The children in Ashbourne House putting the finishing touches to their handmade sketchbooks for tree week. 

Preparation for tree week 2017 - Making little sketchbooks for our field trip 

Students from Scoil Mhachan blind drawing the contours of the mature trees beside their school.  
Contour lines / out-lines - After focusing on the surface in the first exercise now the students use tracing paper to trace the outlines of any shapes they can see in the bark including any lichens or fungi as well as the bark its self.  They will now be looking for areas of surface which contain lines and edges, surfaces which are raised up or that protrude.  

Getting up close to nature - students made beautiful rubbings from tree bark , which made a very impressive cover for their sketchbooks. It was all hands on ! ​1 – Frottage or Rubbing – through the process of making the frottage the student worked hands on with the trunk and bark of the tree, this physical contact along with the drawing process brings the materiality and structure of the bark into awareness, such as the type of surface, smooth, rough, broken or uneven, noticing marks, lines or patterns on a particular tree.

Blind Drawing – Finally the students will have gained a sense of what it is to really look and see all the lines, marks patterns and spaces.  With their eyes warmed up to seeing I  guided them through an exercise called blind drawing. 
Blind drawing is an exercise where you draw what the eye can see, you do not look at the page only at the object and follow the lines etc.  It is one of the key exercises in learning to draw, it teaches you to see like an artist.  Improves hand eye coordination and concentration. 15 year old Sarah from Ashbourne house drew this Alder twig , picking up on all the details beautifully.