Making Giant Withie Lanterns
With ‘festivals of light’ all around the Northern Hemisphere in November and December, teenagers at AccessArt’s Experimental Drawing class had a fun time constructing giant lanterns out of withies and wet-strength tissue paper.
Each session was an hour and a quarter long and it took four weeks to make the lanterns. Students loved the challenge that working on a large scale gave them and the opportunity explore form and structure.
The final results were very pleasing and were enjoyed by parents and visitors to ArtWorks studios on the final session during a ‘celebration event’.
To access all content, I would like to join as…
An Individual
Creative practitioners, educators, teachers, parents, learners…
An Organisation...
Schools, Colleges, Arts Organisations: Single and Multi-Users
AccessArt is a UK Charity and we believe everyone has the right to be creative. AccessArt provides inspiration to help us all reach our creative potential.
Paula Briggs, AccessArt
December 2, 2016 @ 10:59 am
Wonderful – I love the use of bike lights too. Well done #BrilliantMakers!
Andrea Butler
December 2, 2016 @ 12:31 pm
Fabulous work – very exciting to see the beautiful linear structures constructed from the withies and I love the scale of the lanterns!
Sharon Gale
December 2, 2016 @ 2:53 pm
What a super workshop. This is something I would love to try with my art groups. Thank you for sharing.
Jane Ppwell
December 3, 2016 @ 10:08 am
Made some out our primary school a few years ago. Then got in trouble when we tried to join the local lantern parade because we hadn’t used “fireproof” tissue! Is there really such a thing?
Paula Briggs, AccessArt
December 3, 2016 @ 10:10 am
You can definitley buy fire retardent spray….
Sheila, AccessArt
December 3, 2016 @ 5:20 pm
Thanks Jane – I did do some research before the project and the recommend paper was wet-strength tissue paper. Hope that helps.
Cheers, Sheila
Luca
December 3, 2016 @ 4:29 pm
Love seeing those little hands hard at work, with such a rewarding outcome! Very inspiring. I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves this holiday season with my kids and making some lanterns. Thank you Access Art!
Sheila, AccessArt
December 3, 2016 @ 5:22 pm
Look forward to seeing the creations!
Kathryn
December 7, 2016 @ 10:30 am
Lovely designs! I’ve used LED stick and click lights (Poundland sell 4 in a pack) and imitation greaseproof paper (what your chips are wrapped in) is good instead of wet strength tissue paper. I’m inspired to make some more now! Thanks!
Sheila, AccessArt
December 7, 2016 @ 1:27 pm
I love the idea of LED sticks and grease proof paper does sound like a cheaper option – I bought 65 sheets of wet-proof paper online for about £10. Please do show us what you make! best wishes, Sheila (AccessArt)
Kathryn
January 28, 2017 @ 9:46 am
Thanks for inspiring me to get out some willow! I’m organising a Window Wanderland event locally – inviting everyone in the area to light up their windows with a special display for two nights – and I’m going to make lanterns with families. Have attached a photo.
Sheila, AccessArt
January 28, 2017 @ 1:16 pm
How wonderful! I love the fun, playful colours and design overlaid! Thanks for sharing and please do let us know how the Winter Wonderland goes! If you get some good photos you might want to write a post? If so, please do get in touch with sheila@accessart.org.uk to find out more. Good luck and best wishes!
Tracey
May 18, 2022 @ 4:28 pm
Do you have any members from the U.S.?
I’m also interested in attending a workshop. I have always wanted to travel abroad. As an artist and Art Teacher I am ashamed to say I never have. Coming to attend a workshop would be fantastic.