Victorian Artist Week 1: Introduction William Morris Victorian Artist Week 1: Introduction

William Morris William Morris (1834-1896) was among the most creative artists Britain has ever produced. His accomplishments are extraordinary in their range and depth. He was a revolutionary interior designer and book printer, a staunch socialist, a famous and prolific poet, a weaver, embroiderer, dyer, calligrapher, and architectural preservationist.

William Morris William Morris was born in Walthamstow, Essex, on 24 March 1834. The son of a wealthy businessman, he enjoyed a comfortable childhood before going to Marlborough and Exeter College, Oxford.

William Morris He originally intended to take holy orders, but his reading of the social criticism of Carlyle, Kingsley and Ruskin led him to reconsider the Church and devote his life to art. John Ruskin

William Morris After leaving Oxford, Morris was briefly articled to G. E. Street, the Gothic Revival architect, but he soon left, having determined to become a painter. His admiration for the Pre-Raphaelites led him to be introduced to Dante Gabriel Rossetti whose influence can be seen on Morris's only surviving painting La Belle Iseult.

William Morris William Morris 1834-1896 La Belle Iseult 1858 Oil on canvas This work is currently on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

William Morris In the 1860s Morris decided that his creative future lay in the field of the decorative arts. His career as a designer began when he decorated the Red House, Bexleyheath, which had been built for him by Philip Webb.

William Morris The success of this venture led to the formation of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. in 1861. The 'Firm' (later renamed Morris & Co) was particularly well-known for its stained glass, examples of which can be seen in churches throughout Britain. Morris produced some 150 designs which are often characterised by their delightful foliage patterns.

William Morris

William Morris

William Morris The non-ecclesiastical side of the business was gradually was extended to include, besides painted windows and mural decoration, furniture, metal, and glass wares, cloth and paper wall-hangings, embroideries, jewellery, printed cottons, woven and knotted carpets, silk damasks, and tapestries.

Examples of Design

Examples of Design

Examples of Design

Examples of Design

Examples of Design

Examples of Wallpaper

Examples of Wallpaper

Your Task Your task is to: Study and replicate your favourite William Morris design. You can use pastel, crayon or paint for this task. Visit the ICT Suite to print two William Morris images you like which can be cut and glued into your sketch book. Write a brief explanation (at least 2 full sentences) about why you like the design and how the design could be used.

Victorian Artist Week 2: Inspiration William Morris Victorian Artist Week 2: Inspiration

William Morris: Arts and Craft Movement The Arts and Crafts Movement was an international design movement that originated in England and flourished between 1880 and 1910, with its influence extending up to the 1930’s.

William Morris: Arts and Crafts Movement The movement was instigated by the artist and writer William Morris and inspired by the writings of John Ruskin. The Arts and Crafts Movement started as a search for authentic design and decoration and a reaction against the styles that had developed out of machine-production.

William Morris: Arts and Crafts Movement Arts and Crafts objects were simple in form, without superfluous decoration, often showing the way they were put together. They followed the idea of "truth to material", preserving and emphasizing the qualities of the materials used.

William Morris: Arts and Crafts Movement They often had patterns inspired by British flora and fauna and drew on the traditions of the British countryside. Several designer-makers set up workshops in rural areas and revived old techniques.

William Morris: Arts and Crafts Movement Supporters of the Art and Craft Movement believed in the moral purpose of art. It also proposed economic and social reform and has been seen as essentially anti- industrial.

Your Task We are going to have a walk to the Wildlife Area to study and sketch the flora and fauna. You will need to create your own William Morris inspired design based on the sketches from your visit.

Victorian Artist Week 3: Skills and Design Brief William Morris Victorian Artist Week 3: Skills and Design Brief

Video: How to print your own wrapping paper http://www. bbc. co

Video: How to print your own wrapping paper http://www. bbc. co In this lesson we are going to focus on the skill of printing. We will then introduce the design brief for the unit of work.

Victorian Artist Week 4: Design Process William Morris Victorian Artist Week 4: Design Process

Victorian Artist Week 5: Printing and Evaluation William Morris Victorian Artist Week 5: Printing and Evaluation

Victorian Artist Week 6: Making Victorian Box William Morris Victorian Artist Week 6: Making Victorian Box