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Art In Antarctica

How to Draw an Iceberg – Using Colour Values

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  Use Your Voice

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Introduction with Gavin and Jordan



  • In this lesson, students will start by watching a live video from Antarctica, where they’ll witness the awe-inspiring sight of a freshly formed iceberg. Gavin and Jordan from Young Art USA will guide the experience, using the scenery to inspire creative art projects.

    Students will explore the concept of a monochromatic scale, learning how to mix different amounts of white and blue paint to capture the vivid shades of the iceberg. They will also learn how to sketch an elephant seal, one of the largest seals on Earth, and discuss its unique characteristics and movements.

    The lesson will culminate in creating individual iceberg masterpieces and elephant seal sketches. Artworks will be displayed in a school exhibition, with select pieces auctioned to raise funds for charity. Encourage students to unleash their creativity while learning about the beauty of Antarctica’s landscape and wildlife.

Hey, everyone! Gavin here, joined by Jordan from Young Art USA. First, we’re going to watch a video live from Antarctica, where you’ll see an enormous, freshly formed iceberg right behind us. It’s an incredible sight, and this week, we’re using it to inspire our art!

We’ll learn how to use shades of blue by mixing different amounts of white and blue paint to recreate the beautiful colours of the iceberg. Jordan calls this a monochromatic scale, which means using just one colour in different shades.

Your challenge: create your own iceberg masterpiece, making sure to show that most of the iceberg is hidden under the water, with a bigger part below the waterline. Plus, we’ll also learn how to sketch an amazing elephant seal—one of the biggest seals on Earth!

When we’re done, we’ll display your artworks at school and even auction some to raise money for charity. Grab your paints and pencils, and let’s get creative. We can’t wait to see your incredible creations!

Your Weekly Keywords

  • In this activity, students will work together to define ten key vocabulary words related to icebergs and colour values. Teachers will guide students to explain these terms in their own words, encouraging the use of clear and simple language. To start, dictionaries will be avoided, allowing students to engage in discussion and collaborative problem-solving.

    Once students have created their definitions, they will share and compare them with a partner. This approach will deepen their understanding, promote meaningful discussion, and help refine their explanations as they learn from one another.

Each week, students will receive a list of ten key vocabulary words related to icebergs and the concept of colour values. These words will tie into the art and nature projects they’ll be creating. Working in pairs, students will define the words using their own understanding, without referring to a dictionary.

Afterwards, they will compare their definitions with another pair to discuss any similarities or differences. This activity is designed to strengthen vocabulary, deepen their understanding of icebergs and colour concepts, and enhance overall learning through collaboration.

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Quote of the Week – Paul Klee

  • This activity presents students with weekly quotes from influential artists, such as Paul Klee, encouraging them to explore the meaning and context behind the words.

    Teachers will guide discussions, helping students uncover the artistic and philosophical perspectives that inspired these quotes. Through these conversations, students will gain a deeper appreciation for how colour and nature influence art and creativity. Collecting and displaying the quotes in the classroom will serve as a source of ongoing inspiration, fostering a greater understanding of the connection between nature and artistic expression.

This week’s quote comes from the artist Paul Klee, who beautifully captured the essence of colour and nature in his work. Your task is to carefully read Klee’s words and discuss them, reflecting on what he was trying to convey about the power and influence of colour.

If the quote sparks your imagination, you might want to explore how nature inspires art and the emotions colours can evoke. Use this inspiration to fuel your own creative projects. You can also gather and display these quotes in your classroom to keep the artistic inspiration flowing!

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Sketch With Jordan – Drawing an Elephant Seal

  • This week, students will embark on an artistic journey to capture the majestic flight of an albatross. With the help of a detailed task card and an instructional explainer video, this activity is designed to enhance their drawing skills through hands-on practice.

    It’s a fantastic opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the world of art, nurturing their creativity and artistic growth in an exciting and engaging way.

This week, we’re taking on an exciting new challenge: drawing a majestic elephant seal! Check out the task card I’ve prepared for you, and be sure to watch the explainer video below. Once you’ve picked up all the tips and techniques, it’s your turn to bring this incredible creature to life with your artistic skills.

Get ready to let your creativity shine and capture the powerful presence of the elephant seal!

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Sketch With Jordan – Full Video

  • In this activity, students will explore a video where Jordan demonstrates how to capture the powerful characteristics of an elephant seal using techniques like shading, texture, and movement.

    Teachers are encouraged to emphasise the importance of focus and active listening, guiding students to carefully observe and understand the artistic methods Jordan showcases.

    This approach will help students replicate these techniques in their own work. The goal is for students to apply the skills they’ve learned, enhancing their artistic abilities through careful observation and hands-on practice.

This week, Jordan will guide you through the process of drawing a majestic elephant seal, showing you how to use shading, texture, and movement to capture the unique features of this incredible animal. Pay close attention to the video as Jordan explains the techniques to bring the elephant seal to life on paper.

After watching the full video, you’ll be ready to start your own sketch in the next activity. Take your time, enjoy the creative process, and let your artistic skills showcase the strength and presence of the elephant seal!

Sketch With Jordan – It’s Your Turn

  • This activity encourages students to independently explore drawing techniques by sketching an elephant seal, guided by the strategies Jordan has demonstrated. The task supports varied learning outcomes, allowing students to extend their skills by reinterpreting their sketches with paint or other colours.

    This approach gradually increases complexity, catering to different skill levels and motivating students to push their creative boundaries. The artworks created can be added to their portfolios, documenting personal growth and achievements throughout the course.

After watching the full video, it’s time to pick up your pencils and try drawing the majestic elephant seal, just like Jordan demonstrated. Use the task card provided to create your own version of the seal in all its powerful glory.

If you’re pleased with your sketch, you can bring it to life with paint or other colours on a separate sheet of paper. Remember, every piece of art you create can be added to your portfolio, showcasing your progress throughout this course!

Watch – How to Paint an Iceberg

  • This task invites students to draw inspiration from their lesson on icebergs and colour values to create their own stunning iceberg painting, promoting creativity and personal expression. Following Jordan’s instructional guidance, students are encouraged to apply their unique interpretation of an iceberg’s structure and the way light interacts with it as they paint.

    This hands-on project not only enhances artistic skills but also deepens students’ appreciation for the natural world. It may even inspire them to present their artwork in our upcoming gallery showing, explaining how their use of colour and shading captures the essence of an iceberg, further enriching their educational experience.

At the start of our session this week, we explored how the incredible colours and forms of icebergs can inspire our own creative work. Now, it’s your turn to bring this concept to life by painting your own iceberg masterpiece!

Watch the instructional video where Jordan will guide you step-by-step through painting an iceberg, using shading and colour values to capture its majestic beauty. Once you’ve picked up all the tips and techniques, dive into creating your artwork, using the styles Jordan demonstrated.

Get creative with your painting, and remember, we’ll be getting ready for our big gallery showing in the next activity, where your masterpiece will be on display for everyone to admire!

Creating Our Iceberg Art Gallery and Charity Auction

  • This week, we’re bringing all the students’ beautiful iceberg paintings together for a special event! First, the children will hang their artwork in the school to set up our very own art gallery. Then, we’ll hold an auction to raise money for charity.

    Before the big event, we’ll work on creating posters to promote the gallery and auction. I’ll show an example poster, and then the children will get to design their own, using their creativity to spread the word about this exciting occasion. Let’s make this a memorable experience, showcasing their incredible art for a great cause!

This week, we’ve got something super special planned! We’re going to gather all of your incredible iceberg paintings and set up an amazing art gallery right here at school. Once everything is beautifully displayed, we’ll be holding an auction to raise money for charity!

But before we kick off the event, we need to make some awesome posters to get everyone excited. I’ve created an example for you to check out, and then it’s your turn to design your own posters. Use your creativity to let people know about our gallery and the charity auction!

Get ready to see your artwork on display and make a difference with your creations. Let’s get started and make this event truly unforgettable!

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