Australian Artists

Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 2

In this unit, students will be introduced to the artworks some of Lori Pensini and Pete Cromer. They can create a fish collage and drawing on brown paper. They’ll learn about fish shapes and add details using high contrast black and white drawings. They can select a colour to add a vibrant focus to their artwork and play around with the composition to create a fun piece to display. 

Pete Cromer is inspired by the natural environment in which he lives. The native birds and animals are a focus of his work. We will create an artwork of a black cockatoo.  There are five types of black cockatoo in Australia, many of which are endangered. They face loss of habitat and they eat a highly specialised diet. They can be recognised by the distinctive loud caw sound they make. The project is a painted paper collage. An artist information sheet is included along with reference images.

Grade 3 and 4

Learn about famous Australian Artist John Olsen and have fun taking lines on a journey. Use acrylic paint or watercolour to create different types of lines and then add drawing details to the artwork based around a theme of your students’ choice. In this mixed media artwork we will use one colour and create tints by adding white or shades by adding black.

Then create a painted paper, parrot artwork inspired by contemporary Australian artist, Pete Cromer. We created the Ring Necked Parrot found widely throughout Australia and students can choose from the parrot images provided. Create texture and interest with patterns and details using a range of painted papers that students can share between them. 

Grade 5 and 6

Be inspired by contemporary artist Grotti Lotti, also known as Casey Manson. Students in this age group can create a kookaburra artwork using painting and drawing techniques. Students will learn about contrast, colour and implied texture. Drawing details can be added with paint pens  to make this work a stand out project with your class. 

Students will love the way Jessie Breakwell creates her artwork! Her works are quirky, fun and happy. In this giraffe artwork we will create some comic style animals. Her bold abstract paintings have a balance of playfulness and fun. Her work is influenced by Brett Whitely and Henri Matisse. Kids will learn about composition and how to create texture by layering colours and shapes in their artwork.