Usually I work alone but this week I’ve got an assistant. 😆💀💀💀 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

On May the 8th, Sir David Attenborough will be 100 years old. Like so many people, he's been an inspiration as far back as I can remember, so I've added my own little tribute to the many I'm sure he'll receive in the coming weeks. 🙂 It's here ⬇️ www.darrellwakelam.com/news/attenbo... #Attenborough

I've been at Purbrook Infant School today, helping the Year 2 children to create 3D bees! Even kids this young can create sophisticated results if you break things right down. The children did every part of these, drawing, construction and colour. 🙂 www.darrellwakelam.com #Edusky #UKEd

Here’s some lovely bird sculptures created this week, in just one day, by the children from Hatherop Primary in Gloucestershire. Every child in this little school has taken part, working together to make the 4 birds which their classes are named after. www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

Today is #WorldArtDay . . . I spend much of my time demonstrating just how accessible art can be. You don’t need expensive tools, or a mountain of materials, you just need time and imagination. www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

We're blown away by how brilliant this looks! It's been a pleasure, as always, having Darrell come down and what a fantastic piece you guys have helped us make to celebrate 25 years of the Jurassic Coast! Thanks to all who took part and we can't wait to see what Darrell helps us with next time.

I've had an amazing two days at the very special Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre, where visiting children have helped me to commemorate 25 years of the 'Jurassic Coast' by creating this 3D display. A truly collaborative effort! @charmouthhcc.bsky.social #edusky #UKEd www.darrellwakelam.com

(1) Creating art based on fossils at Lyme Regis Museum is a little bit like doing a project on the Ancient Egyptians, in a tomb, with the pyramids just outside. Today, we worked on the site of Mary Anning's workshop, with many of her actual discoveries in the room next door . . . #edusky #UKEd

I'm back at one of my favourite haunts next week. 😮 On Wednesday and Thursday I'll be at the Charmouth Heritage Centre, celebrating their 25th birthday by building a special display piece. I've been busy constructing a small model of the centre. 😁👍 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

(1) When I work with very young kids, there's something I regularly do at the very start. It's something I've done for years, basically because I've found that it works, for me. I go to see the class I'm working with, and I say hello, and I ask if I can tell them something . . . #edusky #UKEd

When they asked me what I wanted to do in my ‘careers’ interview at school . . . I wish I’d just pushed this photo across the desk at them. 😆😆😆 * photo of Leon Pray with a ‘Terror Bird’ 😎 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

This isn't an April fools, this morning really was Ichthyosaur delivery day. 😁 I've revamped this artwork so that it's foldable, hangable, and I've spruced it up for display at The West Bay Discovery Centre over the summer. If you're passing by, pop in and say hi. www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky

I’ve been fixing up an old friend 😁 Children visiting the Fossil Festival made this Ichthyosaur skeleton a few years ago, and I’ve been revamping it ready for display at The West Bay Discovery Centre. Yesterday I was painting it in my garden, as you do. 😎😆 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

Cant recommend your book enough!

Thanks again to all of the schools, teachers, artists, and friends here online for the help and encouragement this term. Creative work like mine doesn't exist without the oxygen of support, so cheers. 🥂 I'm raising a glass to you all. x 😁 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

The Year 5/6 class from Othery Primary School made this fantastic piece of work yesterday based on their local church, St. Michael's. They made it in separate sections allowing the whole class to take part. 🙂 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

I love this little 'tribe' made by the KS1 kids from Ilchester Community Primary School. I'm looking forward to seeing this on display when I'm next with you. 😁👍 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

Quote of the day . . . Year 1 girl - "How old are you?" Me - "I'm 56, but I was 6 once. " Year 1 girl - "You should've stayed young, it's much more exciting." 😆😆😆 #edusky

The KS2 kids from Phoenix Arch School created this fabulous display of the nearby Wembley Stadium this week. They worked in teams to make and decorate this artwork inspired by their nearest famous landmark. 😁⚽⚽⚽ www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

I've spent my week in London working with the kids from Phoenix Arch school, helping them to create large-scale sculptures of sea creatures. All of the kids here have additional needs, they've helped one another, worked hard, and enjoyed themselves. 🙂 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

40 years ago, when I got into Art College aged 16 my dad said to me, "One day lad, you'll have to get your hair cut and get a sensible job" . . . I did lose the long hair when I was in my late 20's, but as for the sensible job, I'm still looking. 😁👀 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

Here's the second project from this week, with yet another famous artwork as inspiration. The Year 5 children from Summerhill created their own version of Lowry's 'Coming out of school'. I think Mr Lowry would've enjoyed watching them make this. 🙂👍 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart #UKEd

Year 5 at Summerhill Academy have been taking inspiration from some very famous artworks this week. Here's their take on Vincent's 'Sunflowers' . . . I loved their designs on the vase, I think he'd have liked them too. 🙂👍 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart #UKEd

We’re taking inspiration from famous artists this week, and Yr 5 have really enjoyed creating their own homage to Van Gogh’s famous ‘Sunflowers’. This is a larger version of the project from my book Art Shaped. 😁👍 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

Hi @darrellwakelam.bsky.social I gave your book to my nephew (5) for him and his mum to try. It was part of his birthday present selection (lego, books to read, etc). As we were leaving he said 'Thanks for my presents, my favorite is the Art book'. Thanks for making me 'Best Aunt Ever' (again, obvs)

Over half-term I had a few extra projects to wrestle with, including this 'cliff-fall in a box', created for the West Bay Discovery Centre. There's been lots of falls lately due to the weather, great for fossils, not so good for visitors. This will be part of their display. 🙂👍 www.darrellwakelam.com

So, here's Fred Frog! 😮😁 The 100 Year 1 kids from Summerhill Academy have had a lot of fun creating one of their heroes. He's giving us a special phonics lesson along with Miss Hermon (who I was asked to conjure up) 😆 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd @sarahmullin.bsky.social

I rounded off a busy week with an 'Arts Connect' training session at the Wolverhampton School of Art. 17 teachers, from all kinds of settings, came together to learn about simple 3D sculpture. Look what they made, from scratch, with simple materials. 😮 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

The Year 1 kids from Old Church Primary have had a busy week. Each child has had at least two sessions, working together in teams to create these four ‘giant insects’. I’ve been so impressed with them . . . Year 1 😮 darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart #UKEd

It may sound odd, but to switch myself off after busy days, I make stuff. Often simple things, but sometimes I lose myself in more complex models, a kind of meditation. This little ship has been exactly that. 🙂 Made entirely from recycled cardboard tubes. www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart #UKEd

Happy Book Birthday ART SHAPED, three years old today. 🎈🎈🎈 This was my original 'unboxing' video. Currently it's number 25 in Amazons 'craft book' bestsellers chart, not bad for a book that's been out for 3 years! 😮 #edusky #UKEd #skyart You can find it here . . . www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Shaped-s...

Would so highly recommend this book to any teachers, parents or crafty folk. Such an invaluable and inspiring resource. And even though it’s aimed at grown-ups working with kids, my son was able to follow the instructions and create stuff on his own aged maybe around 10.

Three years! 😮 Time flies . . . but my book Art Shaped is still finding new friends. It's back near the top of the Amazon 'craft book' chart again this week, which isn't bad three years on! 👍 "Where's the king?" 😮 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd #ArtBook www.amazon.co.uk/Art-Shaped-s...

Sending big love out to the many supportive, kind and funny people I've connected with online. If you care about what you do, I think it shows . . . and eventually you find the right people. 😁❤️ www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

I love the unpredictability of the online world. On Wednesday a small stuffed sloth recommends my book on Instagram . . . by Friday it's back in Amazon's top 50 craft books. 😂 If you're looking for what to buy your sloth for Valentines Day, look no further. 👍 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

Today I've been helping the kids from Westfield College in Weymouth to create a very special display. We made this fantastic cake to celebrate their school's 50th anniversary! The kestrel is their logo. 😁 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart #UKEd

Repost with a photo of yours that would make a good album cover.

21 years ago, just as I set out as a self-employed artist, I painted a picture of the place where my career began, to remind me of what it meant to me. This is Ingestre Hall Arts Centre in Staffordshire, where everything I do now began to take shape. 🙂 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #sykart #UKEd

I finished off a busy week with an online workshop to all of the children at Naunton Park Primary in Cheltenham. They are beginning an art project all about 3D work, and using my work as the inspiration! 😮 They were full of questions. www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart #UKEd

I've worked with every single Year-Group from Woodloes Primary this week (including Nursery) and they have all collaborated to create this 'timeline'. I loved helping them to make this, I think it's got some magical 'humanity' running through it. 🙂 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart #UKEd

I've added a blog to the website all about making 'Ammonites'. I've been based down on Dorset's Jurassic coast for over 20 years now, so I've made a few! 🙂 Here's the link . . . www.darrellwakelam.com/news/cardboa... #edusy #skyart #UKEd #artwork #sculpture

A busy day . . . three online art sessions, all to London schools. Three different themes, 120 different kids. I'm looking forward to seeing what they all make. 🤔 If you want a 'virtual visit' just message here, or email me through the website link ⬇️ www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart #UKEd

So, todays 'starfish making' with the 60 Year 2 kids at Manor Court Primary bought a busy week to a close. I've worked with over 500 kids this week, five schools, four days face-to-face, three virtual workshops, two arms, one Darrell. 😆👍 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd #skyart

I've been up to the lovely Manor Court Primary in Chard today to work with the Year 5 children. They've created these 'space' inspired pieces in just one day, working in 4 teams. None of this was pre-made, all constructed and painted by the children. www.darrellwakelm.com #edusky #skyart #UKEd

A busy day . . . three online art sessions, all to London schools. Three different themes, 120 different kids. I'm looking forward to seeing what they all make. 🤔 If you want a 'virtual visit' just message here, or email me through the website link ⬇️ www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart #UKEd

I've been up at Trinity First School in Somerset for a couple of days creating a large-scale display based on local wildlife. The kids from Year 2, 3, and 4 have worked hard to build all of these cute creatures! Extra points if you spot the mouse. 😮😁 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

Little Year 2 boy today . . . “I can make anything out of just pieces of paper.” Me . . . ⬇️ 😆😆😆

21 years ago, I took this selfie in the studio where my career began. I'd worked there for 14 years and it was my last day, so I grabbed a mirror and snapped this photo, knowing that my time here was over. Ingestre Hall was dreamlike, and I still dream about it now. 🙂 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky

I've been up in Bristol for a couple of days helping the children from Northleaze Primary to create a 'welcome' display. I thought this was a lovely positive piece of work and summed the kids up nicely. www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #UKEd

Still playing around with cardboard tube faces, this one is based on a Terracotta Warrior. 😮 www.darrellwakelam.com #edusky #skyart