The work of artists and designers: elements of art

Art and design

Identifying starting points

Resourcing ideas through personal reflections, narratives and objects

Effective annotation: different ways to present ideas

Analysing the work of artists and designers: materials and techniques

The work of artists and designers: principles of art

Connecting and combining: trials and experiments with materials

First-hand primary resourcing

Photographing for resources: what makes a good photograph

Personal response: appropriate resources and creating artwork

Creating a surface, armature, background: preparing your personal response

This is an independent, pupil-led unit where pupils develop their own creative process. Having learned the key components of shaping an artistic voice, they will now make choices about themes, techniques, and processes, articulating and evaluating their artistic journey.

First sustained project: working from a theme

Physical activity and equipment requiring safe use

Use of equipment that may require supervision for safety, e.g. scissors in KS1, needles, paint, knives, cooking.

It determines how long the artwork takes to make, but not what it communicates.

It has no real effect, only the subject matter matters.

It can strengthen the theme by adding symbolic, emotional, or sensory layers.

How can an artist’s choice of medium affect the meaning or impact of their work?

The colours an artist chooses for their painting

The physical substances an artwork is made from, like paint, clay, or fabric

It helps communicate the artist’s message or theme clearly

What makes a primary material effective in an artwork?

By using materials that hold personal, historical, or cultural significance

By using the same materials as other artists for consistency

By choosing materials that are cheap and widely available

How can an artist use materials to express symbolic or cultural meaning in their work?

Because it is the easiest material to shape and fire

Because it has been traditionally used for rituals in many cultures

Because it always stays soft and can be reshaped indefinitely

Why is clay an important material with cultural significance in many societies?

It makes no difference as long as the materials are expensive.

It has no effect; creativity depends only on skill.

It can enhance creativity by inspiring deeper expression and experimentation.

How can an artist’s emotional connection to their chosen medium affect their creativity?

Starter Quiz