Sketchbooks in the past had only really been used to showcase final pieces of artwork, never drawings or paintings that reflect a process of learning, but now we have changed how we teach art and the new way of working with our sketchbooks is exciting! 

For our first project, we focused on the artist Alexander Calder and the interesting black line drawings that he did prior to his creative sculptures made from wire. It was important that the children felt relaxed and free to be able to let their black pen go for a creative walk and make all kinds of patterns, spirals, circles and shapes. We actually did this to the sound of classical music in the background!

  To begin to understand how something 2d can become 3d, the children cut out shapes, spirals and extra pieces of paper to add to their drawings. They were encouraged to constantly be reflective and say which bits of their drawing they liked and which bits could be enhanced or changed. 

  Drawing and mark making then progressed to painting, adding primary colours to the painted creations and string to keep developing the children's awareness of 2d art becoming 3d work. 

Finally, the children worked in small groups to develop their ideas even further and create a whole class sculpture in the style of Alexander Calder. This project was a fantastic way of showing our parents and carers how our new way of using our sketchbooks influences the children's thought process and how they take their ideas further. This project was finally celebrated, with both class sculpture and sketchbooks on display in our end-of-term exhibition.