Disney Time!

The magic of Disney came to life this weekend at The Laboratory art studio in our weekend arts and crafts workshop. With soundtracks from our favourite Disney movies playing in the background - children and adults were inspired to create their own 3D piece of art work. The workshop primarily focused on drawing skills, with our budding artists selecting an image and then using one of several techniques to transfer the image to paper. These included upside down drawing, pencil measuring skills, tracing or the use of a light box. Once the image had been drawn it was outlined using a black sharpie pen and then coloured in bold and beautiful colours. The next task was to create a stunning background that would set off the Disney characters. Both these drawings were placed through the laminator to make the images rigid  A small box was then placed between the two images to create a 3D effect. 

I was impressed with the concentration and detail the children put into their work to create some really beautiful and clever pieces of work. 

We loved this sparkly Tinker-bell

Alongside the 3D wall art our budding artists also created bookmarks, necklaces and mobiles.

Here's what we got up to:

There's something for everyone at The Laboratory

Using a light box to transfer an image. We were impressed with the precision and time spent on this piece.
 There were a lot of dogs to transfer!

Alice in Wonderland plus a fabulous Disney bookmark

We think this beautiful pink Disney necklace is fantastic and would look great on this stunning princess in-front of her castle.

Mr Potatoe head goes strolling through the forest!

Woody and his friends go for a stroll under a clear blue sky

This Tinker-bell is all heart!

This Incredible's 3D art work is just simply incredible! Perfectly drawn and coloured in with a pop art inspired backdrop.

All of the images were drawn by the children and then outlined with a black sharpie pen. This piece looks like it has come straight from the movie, beautifully drawn and coloured in - and we loved the bookmark to! 

Have you seen our latest flyer? Check out what workshops we have coming up over the next couple of months and join  us at The Laboratory to Explore, Experiment and Create

Workshops @ The Laboratory

The Laboratory Art Studio based at Wat Tyler Country Park offers a wide and diverse range of workshops suitable for all ages and all abilities. Our workshops run between 12:00 noon and 4:00 pm at the weekends and cost just £3:00 per person. 

Check out our programme for May and June, to book workshops email the_laboratory@hotmail.co.uk

 To give you an idea of what happens at The Laboratory here are some pictures from two of our recent workshops : Kite Making and Pottery

For our kite making workshop, children worked with adults to construct a basic frame using Withy Willow. Once the frame was build plastic was wrapped around the frame and then it was over to the children to decorate the kites using stickers, paint and embellishments ready for flying.

Carefully painting a stunning design on a handmade kite

Proudly showing of the final pieces

We just loved the intricacy in this kites design, we hope it flew well!

Some people chose to add ears, tails and tassels onto their kites

The Laboratory offers a calm and relaxed atmosphere where you can work with your children to create all kinds of arts and crafts. Children over the age of 8 can be left unassisted.
We just loved this beautiful beach scene which was painted fabulously! 

At the Laboratory you can create all sorts of wonderful pieces of work whilst chatting with your friends and family

Now let's go fly them kites!

 Pottery fun. One of our favourite workshops at The Laboratory is Pottery. We now have two potters wheels which offer children and adults of all ages (I think our youngest has been 2 years old) the opportunity to have a go at throwing a pot. With a little tuition and a little helping hand everyone is able to create a vase, bowl, plate etc that they can take home to paint. And whilst you are waiting for your turn on the wheel, we will show you how to make a pinch pot, a small animal sculpture and coiling with clay.

A helping hand offered on the potters wheel

Moulding the clay into a smooth shape ready to create a beautiful pot

Even adults enjoy having a go at throwing a pot on our wheels

The Laboratory offers a relaxed a clam atmosphere that is suitable for all ages and all abilities, Why not join us and explore, experiment and create!

Creating pinch pots whilst waiting to go on the potters wheel

 For more information email Lisa at the_laboratory@hotmail.co.uk

Art Classes - Explore, Experiment and Create

Over the past few weeks, adults attending The Laboratory's evening classes have been exploring the use of modroc on canvas to create a unique 3D piece of work. 

Looking at work by artists such as Niki De Saint Phalle, Klimt, Lowry, Kandinsky and Norval Morrisseau, learners drew their inspiration, added a bit of imagination, a touch of acrylic paint and then set to work.

At The Laboratory we aim to provide learners with the opportunity to experiment, explore and create using a wide and diverse range of materials and techniques. 

Adult classes currently run on a Thursday evening 7:00pm-9:00pm and cost £8 per person. 

Due to demand we will shortly be opening up an additional class on a Tuesday evening 7:00pm-9:00pm, if you would like more information on adult or children's art classes - or would like to book a space please contact Lisa on the_laboratory@hotmail.co.uk

 These are some of the finished Mod Roc paintings, these will be displayed at The Laboratory in April

This tree looks fabulous breeching the boundary of the canvas, inspired by the work of Norval Morrisseau.

Canvas inspired by the colours of Lowry

Beautiful line work in spired by Klimt's detail

We love the layering of colours on the "seaweed"form and the mouth watering doughnut

Canvas inspired by Niki de Saint Phalle, excellent use of complementary colours

Working on colour studies

Understanding the use of negative space