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Guest Blog: Shaping Futures: Careers in Fashion, Textiles, and Creative Subjects

By Buddy Penfold, Associate Professor, School of Design Innovation, De Montfort University  In a world increasingly driven by innovation, self-expression, and sustainability, careers in fashion, textiles, and creative subjects are more relevant than ever. These industries blend making skills with technology, tradition with modernity, and ...

How to Use Gelli Plates: Create Unique Prints with Colour and Texture

  Gelli plate printing, a modern form of monoprinting, emerged in the early 2000s as artists sought a simple, versatile way to create layered prints without the need for traditional presses. This technique allows you to experiment with colours, textures and materials to produce unique designs. Using water-based or oil paints, this guide will ...

Choosing the Right Canvas: History, Types and Artist Tips

  Canvas is more than just a surface for paint, it’s the foundation for creativity, expression and artistic exploration. From early wooden panels to modern cotton duck canvases, the story of canvas reflects centuries of innovation, craftsmanship and experimentation that continues to inspire artists today.    From History to ...

Guest Blog: From Overwhelmed to Empowered A Teacher’s Journey Through Stres

By Charlie Burley, The Teachers Health CoachI STOOD THERE, IN THE MIDDLE OF MY CLASSROOM, COMPLETELY FROZEN IN FEAR…  It’s almost six years to the day since a panic attack in front of my class that would completely change my life; and lead me to help thousands of teachers and school staff to do the same.It was in early May 2019 ...

The Dual Nature of Yellow

  Bold, radiant and full of contradictions, yellow has always been more than just a bright colour. It’s the hue of sunlight and warning signs, joy and jealousy, faith and betrayal. Few colours have carried so many meanings across cultures and centuries.  The Many Faces of Yellow   Origins of LightOver 30,000 years ago, ...

Step by Step Lesson Plan for Mixed Media: Tear, Trace & Transform

By Greg Thomas IntroductionThis lesson is ideal for a GCSE group or Y9 classes exploring GCSE techniques. It would fit in well with a project exploring Close Up, Tools / Machinery or Natural Forms etc. and is great for engaging boys.  Duration:3 - 4 hoursAims:•  Create a mixed-media drawing• Understand how to collage a ...

Guest Blog: Small Worlds, Big Impact: How Art Teachers Can Lead the Sustainability Charge

By Jayne StillmanCounty Inspector/Adviser for Art, Hampshire Improvement and Advisory Service (HIAS)  Introduction:  Art has always been a powerful way to tell stories, spark conversation and inspire change. In Hampshire, we’ve taken that belief and turned it into a county-wide movement, one that gives young people the tools, ...

How to Fix Common POSCA Pen Problems

POSCA paint markers have earned cult status with students, artists, crafters and anyone who loves bold colour that behaves beautifully. They glide, they pop, they’ll happily draw on everything from paper and wood to fabric, metal and found objects in the art room. But even the best-loved tools can have the odd wobble.   The good news? ...

The Art Teacher’s Survival Guide to Ceramics

  There is a moment most art teachers experience when introducing clay for the first time.The lesson has barely started and a student is already holding a sculpture with walls two inches thick saying: “Can this go in the kiln today?”Meanwhile another student has added water to their clay until it resembles soup, somebody else has ...

The Story of Silver: From Shine to Shadow

  Silver has long captivated artists for its cool glow and reflective beauty. From medieval manuscripts to Renaissance miniatures, this metallic hue added light, luxury and illusion to sacred scenes and fine details. Yet behind its brilliance lay a flaw silver’s tendency to darken and corrode. Despite its challenges, silver continues ...
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