Workshop at the Wallace Collection, 06 May 2006

This was my first experience as a leader of the workshop at the Wallace Collection. The hands on experience producing fine arts using different media facilitated conditions where the children explored their abilities in painting and three dimensional constructions. The children also played happily in this environment. The inclusion of a parent/guardian, to accompany the child, to participate together and give drawing guidance enhanced the children’s rich imagination. Using Plasticine as the medium they could mould, rub, push, press and so on until they got a satisfactory result from their own efforts with their hands. For example I showed them how to make orange from primary colours, red mix with yellow. I didn’t want them to copy the colour from the painting of ‘Scarborough castle’, just follow their feelings.

When I saw how well they paid attention to the artwork it made me very happy; it's most difficult to communicate with children and I had to adapt to them before they would interact with me.

One boy asked me how he could make the man bending down to catch the crab. He found it difficult to accomplish. I showed him how to make the man's back bend down; The boy was smiling and thanked me.

As this is not a serious academic course the play method of learning is quite appropriate so I tried to encourage them to do this.

I found I needed extremely good patience and determination in my leadership role. The sign language interpreter was essential to aid the communication and interaction between myself, the children and their parents/guardians. Some parents commented on the wonderful facilities and interesting surrounds of the work room.

I gave the group 20 minutes before the finish to let them go upstairs to explore and look at artworks because I wanted some time to join the foreground and background into one masterpiece.

At 4pm. they came down and admired their work. They wanted to take some Plasticine works and paintings home.

Next time I will need to bring plenty of bags and boxes to let them take their work home without breaking it.

I think it was a good workshop to complete two different art forms at the same time; the painting and the three dimensional work; and it was a gratifying experience for me. I was surprised at the end of the day how the artwork was made so beautifully.
I will now concentrate on my role for the 29th July and have learnt much from this first experience.
© Sheng-Kai Chou 2006