It’s been an incredibly vibrant and busy week across the XP Arts From our youngest learners exploring the basics of texture to our KS4 students mastering observational detail, the studios have been buzzing with activity.

Here is a look at what our students have been up to:

Immersion week working with Experts: Graffiti Art with Phillip Padfield

Our C31 cohort has officially kicked off their new Expedition with a bang! To immerse them in their new project, we welcomed professional graffiti artist Phillip Padfield, better known as Affix.

Students had the unique opportunity to work alongside an industry expert, learning about the techniques and history of street art. We are all excited to see how this professional insight will shape their creative work as the expedition continues.

Exploring Rhythm: Mark Making with C32

The C32 students have been turning into investigators this week. Their focus has been on mark making, specifically looking for ways to capture the “rhythm and movement of water.”

Using a limited blue palette, students experimented with:

• Fluid brush strokes to mimic waves.
• Stippling and splatting to represent spray.
• Layering different depths of ink to show transparency.
• Working with unconventional tools.

Celebration of Learning: C31 Presented Their Learning

X31 students have reached a major milestone, presenting their learning through a stunning gallery display. Their work featured “Powerful Art” portraits and mixed-media pieces that honoured historical figures and civil rights movements.

The exhibition showcased portraits of iconic figures like Ruby Bridges and Malcolm X, combined with bold typography and symbolic imagery. It was a proud moment for the students to see their hard work curated and displayed for a wider audience.

Artist of the Week: Yasmin R (X28/ACD)

A huge congratulations to our KS4 Artist of the Week, Yasmin R!

Yasmin has produced some truly beautiful observational studies recently. Her work on animal textures—specifically a stunning, high-contrast study of a tiger—and her intricate eye studies show a remarkable level of skill in blending and detail.

Stay Tuned: We have a lot of exciting projects coming up, including the start of a Global Project with Right Up Our Street and even more guest workshops. Keep an eye on the blog for our next creative update!

#XPArt #CreativeLearning #ExpeditionaryLearning