This week, it was 5JS's turn to create ‘moody’ drawings using dramatic lighting and tone. We explored Chiaroscuro (kee·aa·ruh·skyuor·row), an Italian term which means light and dark and refers to the high contrast light/dark style used in Renaissance painting.

After some warmup exercises (designed to encourage the children to observe), pupils explored drawing with the art media: charcoal, white chalk and a rubber. We discussed light sources and how to use highlights and shadows to describe form. They were then given an hour to carefully draw a skull (lit by a torch) on A2 paper. It took a lot of concentration and the children’s work is excellent. Well done 5JS.