Year 5 have been busy completing their drawing and painting unit, taking inspiration from the incredible work of Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

We began by exploring Hundertwasser’s artwork, looking closely at how he used nature, bold patterns and vibrant colours in his work. We discussed how, following the devastation of war, his use of bright, joyful colours helped to communicate feelings of hope, positivity and renewal. The children shared their thoughts about his artwork, considering what they liked, the colours that caught their attention and the shapes and patterns they found most interesting.

Next, we became artists ourselves! Using viewfinders, we focused on different sections of Hundertwasser’s artwork, carefully selecting areas that inspired us. We then recreated and enlarged our chosen sections onto A4 paper, thinking carefully about the shapes, patterns and details.

Once our drawings were complete, we brought them to life using watercolours, experimenting with colour and carefully filling each section. To add the finishing touch, our paintings were laminated and we used permanent markers to go back over the lines, making the shapes and patterns really stand out!

Throughout this unit, the children have demonstrated our art values beautifully:

🎨 Be creative: Exploring bold colours, imaginative patterns and developing their own interpretations of Hundertwasser’s work.

🖌️ Be proficient: Developing their drawing and painting skills, using viewfinders, enlarging images and experimenting with watercolour techniques.

💭 Be reflective: Looking carefully at an artist’s work, sharing opinions and making thoughtful choices about the sections, colours and patterns they wanted to recreate.

We are incredibly proud of the creativity, care and enthusiasm Year 5 have shown throughout this unit. Their finished pieces are full of colour, detail and individuality!

Have a look at some of our fantastic final pieces below!