What an extraordinary array of strange expressions! After a quick introduction to Daumier’s work, over 120 participants sketched portraits and then brought them to life in the form of hand-made clay caricature heads.

In an accompanying workshop held in our historic Reynolds Room, families used buttons, ribbons and googly eyes galore to create marvellous ‘Mitten Monsters’ and ‘Glove Birds’.

As the Family Programme Assistant, I have been working behind the scenes for a few weeks getting everything ready for the ‘Funny Faces’ Family Studio. Preparing for these free monthly drop-in studios is great fun. For families who can’t make the big day, I make up a ‘Be Creative at Home’ activity, which can be downloaded from our website, so they don’t miss out. This month the activity was making the ‘Mitten Monsters’, a great way of using any odd mittens you have lying around the house!

The workshop was led by a fantastic team of artist educators. Their enthusiasm and love of teaching makes every studio a success. I am always impressed at how families, with a little help from the RA team, can take an idea and with a few materials, make spectacular works of art beyond anything you can imagine! This month was no exception.

Gwen Ramsay is the RA’s Family Programme Assistant.