We couldn’t be prouder of how 4T embraced everything that Arts Fortnight had to offer, exploring what it meant to be … them!

First, they learned to sketch their self portrait using the correct proportions for our facial features and used water colour paints to create tints and tones for our skin and hair.

They explored what made them special and created print designs to represent this using monoprinting techniques. Next, they created a template of their own head and shoulders and collaged their prints to create a unique portrait. 4T’s positivity and resilience allowed them to reflect on how words to convey their own unique inspirational message. Their finished designs articulated their key message – Just be yourself and see what you can do!

Maya Angelou’s poem Life Don’t Frighten Me At All, gave 4T the confidence to create a collaborative piece sharing the courage they draw as a team from facing challenges together.

They created individual verses for the poem and these became the basis of their paintings using bold brush strokes and vibrant colours in the style of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Layering on figures in black acrylic paint, movement and emotion lines using chalk pens allowed the children to illustrate their verses in a style inspired by street art.