17 November 2025
Miss Siobhan Campbell, Head of Art
Our talented Year 8 students recently took inspiration from Johannes Vermeer’s iconic painting Girl with a Pearl Earring in a hands-on portraiture workshop. The session, led by our Artist in Residence, Eilise Lancaster, introduced students to the fascinating world of oil painting, a medium both rich in history and technique.
Students began by exploring the process of underpainting, learning how to map out tonal values in monochrome before gradually building layers of colour. This classical approach helped them understand how to construct a painting from the ground up, adding depth and vibrancy step by step.
Throughout the workshop, students developed their understanding of light, shade, and form, learning how to “sculpt” a face using tone and subtle shifts in colour. The results were impressive - each portrait capturing a unique interpretation of Vermeer’s timeless subject, while demonstrating remarkable progress in technical skill and confidence.
It was a joy to see students so engaged, experimenting with brushwork and layering to bring their portraits to life. The Art Department is incredibly proud of their achievements — well done, Year 8!