Group Leaders Notes on Art Workshop Activities
Mythical Maps | Fantasy Masks | Magic Weapons | Secret Messages | Magic Books
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These additional notes are intended to be read by any person leading a group in the workshop sessions outlined. The instruction sheets are designed to be available for the participants of the workshops and to also assist the group leaders.
Mythical Maps
Download instructions (Word document, 22k) and picture guide (PDF format, 73k)
Preparation: For aged looking paper - rub down some A3 paper with a used tea bag and leave to dry. The paper can then be scrunched up, torn or burnt around the edges (a heat gun worked best for making brown marks). Linseed oil can also be rubbed in to give it a more authentic parchment appearance. For a workshop lasting only one hour, this is best done in advance. However, for workshops lasting two hours or longer, this preparation could form the first part of the session.
Resources: Images of historical maps. The maps from The Lord of the Rings are obviously an excellent resource to use as they contain all the points outlined in the workshop, including the journey itself. Most copies of The Lord of the Rings will contain the map of middle earth. The publication Journeys of Frodo, An Atlas of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings by Barbara Strachey (ISBN: 0049120115) contains detailed images of the journey based on the book and Tolkien's own maps.
For the seal, wax is heated by placing in a tin, which is then placed in a bowl of hot water. The wax can be dripped onto the paper using a paintbrush or spatula. This should be left for a few moments and then the seal pressed in firmly. Pennies, badges and rings all make good impressions for a seal.
Workshop tips: Ink pen nibs are very hard to use and may need to be practised with first on a sheet of plain paper. As the wax for the seal gets very hot, an adult should this part of the session.
Age group: 9-14 years
Length of session: 1-2 hours
Fantasy Masks
Download instructions (Word document, 20k) and picture guide (PDF format, 119k)
Preparation: Very little needs to be done for this simple workshop aimed at a younger age group.
Resources: Images of masks and mythical beasts from around the world and literature, plain masks (suggested item - Yorkshire Purchasing Catalogue, ref. no. 718580).
Workshop tips: Once painted, the masks will need to be left to dry for about 5 minutes and the group occupied with other activities. It is suggested they sort out materials for their mask or begin designing it on plain paper.
Age group: 5-9 years
Length of session: 1 hour
Warrior's Helmet, Sword and Shield
Download instructions (Word document, 24k) and picture guide (PDF format, 79k)
Preparation: It is useful to have pre-cut helmet, sword and shield templates and plenty of extra, large cardboard boxes.
Resources: Images of famous swords and weaponry, both real and mythical, from history.
Workshop tips: Care must be taken when using the stapler and it is advised that an adult have control of this at all times. Adding extra pieces to the helmet once the basic shape is complete is difficult - children may need an adult to help them do this. Poking holes through the shield is also best supervised by an adult.
Age group: 7-12 years
Length of session: 1-2 hours
Secret Messages
Download instructions (Word document, 20k) and picture guide (PDF format, 74k)
Preparation: Preparation of aged paper, wax and wax seal heated.
Resources: Images of different kinds of scripts (Latin on Roman slabs, Hieroglyphics, ancient Greek, Arabic etc). Images of the initial pages of manuscripts such as the Books of Kells and Lindisfarne.
Workshop tips: If including an initial style letter make sure they design this first in pencil.
Age group: 7-12 years
Length of session: 1 hour
Magic Books
Download instructions (Word document, 21k) a picture guide (PDF format, 42k), and a the finished cover (PDF format, 53k)
Preparation: Pre-cut cardboard squares and covering material.
Resources: A selection of old fashioned looking books to give inspiration. The fake leather cover can be ordered from the Specialist Crafts Catalogue, ref. no. L040. This material can be punched or tooled like real leather.
Workshop tips: Cutting and sticking the book cover down is tricky and may need an adult to assist.
Age group: 7-12 years
Length of session: 1 hour
Useful Addresses:
Specialist Crafts Ltd,
PO Box 247,
Leicester, LE1 9QS
Tel: 0116 269 7711
Fax: 0116 269 7722
email: post@speccrafts.co.uk
Yorkshire Purchasing,
41 Industrial Park,
Wakefield, WF2 0XE
Tel: 01924 824477
Fax: 01924 834805
email: diskcat@ypo.co.uk