The Art Department at Cockburn John Charles Academy welcomed some unusual visitors last month as Year 8 students took part in a lively life drawing session featuring live chickens.
Working directly from observation, students explored a range of drawing techniques, including continuous line drawing, non-dominant hand sketching, and quick observational studies.
The aim was to capture the chickens’ shape, movement, and unique character, no easy task when the subjects refused to stay still for long. The session encouraged students to take creative risks, develop their observational skills, and experiment with different approaches to drawing.
Despite the challenges posed by their energetic models, students produced a range of impressive sketches, demonstrating both enthusiasm and artistic growth.
Art Department staff commented that:
“Our students really embraced the challenge,” and that “working from life helps develop confidence, accuracy, and creativity, and the chickens certainly kept everyone on their toes.”
All Year 8 classes will have the opportunity to take part in the lesson over the coming fortnight, giving every student the chance to experience this unique artistic challenge firsthand.
Meanwhile, Year 11 Art students have been busy developing their GCSE coursework. Across the department, students have been refining ideas, experimenting with materials and techniques, and making important creative decisions as their projects continue to evolve.
Staff have been delighted by the variety and originality emerging in students’ work, with many producing highly individual responses while demonstrating strong levels of focus, experimentation, and progress.
From feathered life models to ambitious GCSE projects, the Art Department has been buzzing with creativity, showcasing the talent, imagination, and dedication of students across all year groups.
This post is based on a press release issued by Cockburn John Charles Academy
While you’re here, can we ask a favour?
South Leeds Life is published by a not-for-profit social enterprise. We keep our costs as low as possible but we’ve been hit by increases in the print costs for our monthly newspaper which have doubled in the last two years.
Could you help support local community news by making a one off donation, or even better taking out a supporters subscription?
Donate here, or sign up for a subscription at bit.ly/SLLsubscribe
