Put down the cotton wool, step away from the glitter and try Robert Watts’ altogether classier Christmas art KS2 project. It involves making translucent sculptures from tissue paper…
When it comes to Christmas it’s tempting to trot out the traditional art and craft activities – after all, there’s always a display board that’s crying out for a little seasonal spirit.
But for many of us our happiest memories of Christmas have little to do with cotton wool and glitter and a lot to do with colour and light. Here’s an opportunity for your class to shine a little light on their preparations for Christmas.
In this project, experiment with some of the resources often found in the classroom at this time of year – balloons, sticky tape and tissue paper – but combine them in an exciting way.
Christmas art KS2 learning objectives
- Experiment with construction techniques
- Explore the effects of light on translucent materials
- Create decorative sculptures for the Christmas classroom
Starter activity
Begin by sharing some images of illuminated artworks with the class. You might find some stained glass windows within easy reach of your school, but if not there are plenty to be found online.
Some of the most beautiful were made during the last century by Russian artist Marc Chagall, whose use of colour and tone should inspire children to experiment with designs of their own.
Provide children with some sheets of acetate – the transparent sleeves made to hold sheets of A4 paper are ideal – and demonstrate how to spread a thin layer of PVA glue across the sheet before applying a few pieces of torn tissue paper.
Try using just one colour at first. By overlapping pieces of the same colour you’ll quickly create a range of tones, best appreciated by holding the acetate up to a window to let the light shine through.
Children can quickly create some luminous collages before extending their work into three dimensions
Robert Watts is the programme convener for the MA Art, Craft and Design Education programme at the University of Roehampton, London, and the co-author of Teaching Art and Design 3-11, published by Bloomsbury Books. Browse more KS2 art ideas and Christmas activities.
