Artist in School Scheme


"Heritage and Wildlife of Tubber"

with artist Deirdre O'Brien


This year we were involved in the Artist in School Scheme which is supported by Clare County Council. We had an artist residency in our school for 25 hours aiding us in putting our mural idea together. Below is a table outlining the work carried out in each session culminating in our fantastic mural.

Tubber Through the Mists of Time



Session 1

We divided the school into two groups. Group 1 (junior infants to 3rd class) and Group 2(4th class to 6th class). We discussed a theme and ideas for the design. We researched our website and sketched our some ideas.
Then 6th class went outside and helped Deirdre measure the wall.


Session 2

We worked on our designs from the week before. Then we transferred our drawings onto card and painted them using outdoor emulsion paint. Group 1 decided on the theme "Wildlife" while Group 2 chose "Heritage".
Bronze Pot


Session 3

Both weeks worked on colour mixing. We practiced painting backrounds,including skies,hills,fields,trees and walls. We also worked on landscape perspective.


Session 4


Both groups finalised designs and Group 2 worked on a scaled drawing. We drew a grid and outlines on the wall.


Session 5


We painted on the landscape lines and we began painting the sky and the hills.


Session 6

Today we continued to finish painting the background. We began up high and worked our way down filling in bogs, fields, lakes , rivers and roads for example. Sponges were used to create bush effects around features.


Session 7

Alot of the background detail has been completed. Today we began our own individual designs. Group 2 started adding their heritage images to the mural first. Looking at the wall we decided where each image should be placed according to the location in our parish. Each child took their picture they had created in class to refer to. There was a particular emphasis on having realistic size difference between the foreground and background.


Session 8

Continued working on details with Group 1 who were adding their wildlife images to the mural. Our session was cut short today due to bad weather.


Session 9

Final session on the mural completed flora and added in a rainbow. This project was a wonderful experience for all involved and there is a great sense of pride in the local community for the completed mural.