This year, Year 7 environmental artists have showcased an impressive blend of creativity and technical skill as they took part in the David Shepherd Global Canvas competition. Responding to the 2026 theme, “The Book of Life,” all 85 pupils embarked on an artistic journey centred around the intricate technique of dry point etching.
For many pupils, this was their first time working with specialist printing tools, metal plates, and a traditional press. The process quickly became an extension of the theme itself, each stage a discovery, each print a new page in their collective “Book of Life.”
Before moving to printmaking, pupils strengthened their drawing foundations, experimenting with line, texture, and mark making. They explored how simple strokes could be layered and varied to create depth, movement, and energy. This hands-on learning laid the groundwork for dry point etching, a method where every scratch in the plate captures ink in a unique way.
The technique required patience and precision yet also invited creative risk taking. As prints emerged from the press, many pupils were surprised by the unexpected results: a soft blur where ink had pooled, a sharply defined line etched deeper than imagined, or a subtle tonal shift created by chance. These small revelations made each print feel like turning a new page in a story, unpredictable, expressive, and full of character.
The finished collection, representing the Year 7 “Book of Life,” is a vibrant display of colour, texture, and imaginative interpretation. Though each print is small in size, together they form a powerful gallery of creativity, proudly celebrating the pupils’ collaborative effort and their growing confidence as young artists.
