Week One: Selecting my Inquiry and Initial Questions

After much deliberation over academic versus more “fun” inquiries, I decided to base my inquiry project on Watercolour painting. I hope this allows for inquiry that will aid my teaching while still being more of a hobby-based idea. I also hope this inquiry acts as a mental health break as I will have to make time to do an activity I find relaxing and enjoyable.

What began as “I would like to learn how to watercolour paint” quickly grew as I asked questions about what I knew and didn’t know about watercolour, painting, and visual art in general. After solidifying my initial inquiry, I jumped on the BC Curriculum webpage and explore what the 9-12 visual arts curriculum had under their “Big Ideas,” “Competencies,” and “Content” categories. In particular, I wanted to know what high school students were learning about how to make art.

British Columbia Arts Education Grade 12 Visual Arts Content

My initial questions are:

  • What materials are needed to do watercolour painting?
  • What is the history of watercolour painting?
  • What are the various techniques used in watercolour painting?
  • What are the basic principles of art/design?
  • What are the elements of art?
  • What are some image development strategies (i.e. How can I transform ideas and experiences into visual images?)
  • How can watercoulour be used to convey/express emotions and/or meaning?
  • How can watercoulour be used to explore self-perception and identity?
  • What are some creative processes that will help me develop as an artist?

To summarize, my inquiry project is: Using watercolour as a medium to learn and explore the principals and elements of art, examine my creative processes and practice image development strategies.

My next step will be to research each of these questions in more depth and to discuss my inquiry with classmates and friends. More specifically, I will look for books/online material on watercolour painting and visual art, I will contact my friends with visual art degrees, and seek out classmates with art as a teachable area.