Masterclass Art Lesson

David Carson
Subject
Topic
Year(s)
Website activity
Objective

Art
David Carson
Years 3-6
Art Factory www.gridclub.com
To have some understanding of the style and life of the modern-day graphic
designer David Carson
Summary of activity The children manipulate letters, phrases, colours and texture, as well as
adding layers, to produce eye-catching postcards, posters, book and CD
covers.
NC links
Cross curricular Citizenship, ICT, Literacy, Numeracy
QCA links
Art: Unit 3B Investigating pattern look for patterns in everyday objects
Unit 4C Journeys use a sketchbook to explore a variety of symbols, lines,
shapes, colours and patterns
Unit 5A Objects and meanings collect a variety of visually interesting
samples of text in advertisements, posters and magazines
ICT: Unit 3A Combining text and graphics edit font type, size and colour
Unit 4B Developing images using repeated patterns create a pattern using
various brush sizes and effects
Unit 5A Graphical modelling use an object-based graphics package to
create, combine and manipulate objects and explore possibilities

Phone: +44 (0)20 3008 4455

Email:info@gridlearning.com

Follow us on Twitter @GridClub

Find us on facebook.com/gridclub
1

Grid Learning Limited 2012

Masterclass Art Lesson

David Carson
NLS links

NNS links
Pupil benefits
Pupils preparation
Time required
Resources required

Y3 Term 1 T14 use different styles of lettering to invent calligrams and a

range of shape poems
Y4 Term 1 T20 look at a range of newspapers and magazines, including the
layout and range of information, identifying the main features
Y5 Term 1 T21 identify features in a sports report including supportive
illustrations. Write a report on a school or local sporting event including
illustrations and an eye-catching header
Y6 Term 1 T12 make a critique sheet on a range of popular magazines that
the children have brought in, paying particular attention to layout, language,
style and colour
Shape and space
Opportunity to learn about and explore their own ideas in the style of the
graphic artist David Carson. Have fun and the opportunity to develop and
compare their ideas in relation to the work of the artist and each other
Collect samples of a variety of graphics, eg those combined with text on
birthday cards, wrapping paper, postcards, magazines, books and CD covers.
2 x 1 hour sessions
Paper, large felt pens, oil pastels
Wax crayons, water-based wash in different colours, tissue paper, stickybacked paper
Letter templates capital and lower case
Strong coloured paper for display
Digital camera, scanner, computer and graphics package

Technical
requirements
Teacher preparation Collect samples of packaging, magazines and advertisements. Find
information and examples of David Carsons work to discuss.

Lesson Notes
Vocabulary
Key ideas
The lesson

Layer, opaque, transparent, typeface, template, graphic design, manipulate,

invert, font
Develop individual posters, book covers and CD covers using several layers of
differing materials, textures and font sizes.
Introduce children to the work of David Carson. Read his biography in the
Masterclass section on the GridClub Art Factory website. Encourage children
to use a dictionary to find the meanings of any words that are new to them.

Grid Learning Limited 2012

Masterclass Art Lesson

David Carson
1. Introduction

Divide the children into four groups and give each group a different sample of
Carsons work. Ask each group to write down at least 510 words (dependent
on age) to describe the sample: is it clear, easy or difficult to read, is the font
the same size etc? Samples of Carsons work can be found on the web by using
a search engine such as Google.

2. The main activity Group 1: Children use Masterclass on the GridClub website to recreate their
own Carson image, save it and print it out.
Group 2: Create a background on paper. Colour a single sheet of cartridge
paper. Use four different colours of colour washes or oil pastels to colour
unequal portions. Once dry, glue a layer of flat tissue or torn paper on top.
Swap with Group 3.
Group 3: Ask children to choose a slogan or message they wish to convey.
Decide on the style, size and colour of lettering to give maximum impact.
Print, cut out or tear each letter out and keep carefully in an envelope.
Alternatively, draw round templates of letters, colour in with heavy, brightly
coloured wax crayon (not black!) and lightly paint a black or other dark
colour wash over the top. Leave to dry. Swap with Group 2 to prepare the
background.
Children cut out their letters, place them onto the dry background and glue
when satisfied in order to complete this piece of work. Display.
Group 4: Cut out or tear letters and images from magazines then arrange
them on a sheet of contrasting coloured backing paper. When happy with the
result glue them down.
NB If possible, children can use a graphics package and scan and manipulate
drawings and pieces of text.
Children should take turns and rotate through all four groups.
3. Plenary and
follow-up

Gather all samples of work together. Discuss the different methods used:
which worked well, what impact did they make on the observer, are any
samples difficult to read? Suggest ways of improving their work.

Assessment
opportunity

Comment on the differences and similarities between their own work

and that of the artist. Would using different colours or sizes have made a
difference?
Choose a favourite book or CD and re-design the cover. Cut out letters and
interesting graphics from magazines and place onto a coloured background.
Rotate the letters; use a range of different colours and sizes. Add the design to
a sketchbook.

Homework
opportunity

Grid Learning Limited 2012