RGS Worcester was delighted to welcome pupils from seven schools from The Rivers CE Academy Trust to RGS Worcester for a workshop hosted by the art department including Richard Gilbert, Jo Hunt, Angie Freeman and Marianne Vincent.

The workshop was entitled ‘Down by the River’ and based on Monet’s paintings of the River Seine in Paris.

Monet worked ‘en plein air’ (outside) and the workshop was set up outside the Picasso Room in the art block where they experienced two seasons in one day – as Monet himself would have done.

As the workshop started, drizzle came down and dark clouds rolled in, but by the end of the morning they were bathed in sunshine.

The workshop began with a welcome and introduction then the seven teams – with the help of RGS teachers and students and their own teachers – set about sketching out their pictures with pencils, then glued wall paper on to create different textures.

Following a well-earned break in main hall, with home baked cookies, the pupils were given a masterclass in dabbing and mixing paints before returning to add colour to their paintings.

Once the work was completed, all teams were invited to display their masterpieces for all to see in our outdoor studio.