How we do it. 

​​

​

The Spilt Milk Design Studio program runs across the calendar year and is structured into four 10-week terms. Each term builds upon the last—both in terms of content and the development of the children’s creative, cognitive, and social skills. As the year progresses, children are gently guided from foundational art principles to more complex, multi-stage projects. 

​

Where appropriate, I gently introduce age-appropriate art theory, literature, and even a touch of history to enrich the children’s understanding. They don’t even realise how much they’re learning—because they’re too busy exploring, creating, and having fun!

 

​

 

Term 1 begins with a strong foundation in colour theory and an introduction to the Seven Principles of Art: Line, Shape, Form, Colour, Space, Value, and Texture. These core concepts underpin everything we do, and are explored in playful, hands-on ways.

 

As the year unfolds and children’s attention spans, confidence, and listening skills grow, we gradually move toward more involved and layered projects in Terms 2–4.

 

By Term 4, students are ready for multi-stage creative work, building on everything they’ve learned, tried, and discovered.

 

​

 

Every group is unique, and the program is designed to be flexible and responsive. Educators are encouraged to share the current interests or learning themes of their children—and Spilt Milk will meaningfully weave those into the art and design activities wherever possible.

 

​

 

Across the year, children will explore a wide variety of creative processes and materials. The following is a list of just some of the things we will delve into:

 

Acrylic painting

 

Watercolour and salt painting

 

Collage and mixed media

 

Marbling (foam + chalk)

 

Blow painting and bubble painting

 

Clay work and sculpture (both collaborative and individual)

 

Printmaking (mono/lino/gelli plate printing, and much more)

 

Oil and chalk pastels

 

Nature-incorporated projects

 

Portraits and self-portraits

​

Colour theory and colour psychology

​

Pop Art, Impressionism, Abstract Art, Modern Art

 

Treasure maps and visual storytelling

 

STEAM-based kinetic art activities (e.g. pendulum painting, marble + spin painting)

 

STEAM challenge workshop (one per term)

 

​

​