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Lesson 3 of 6

Art and war

I can explore and use different artistic techniques to convey themes of war and conflict.

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Lesson 3 of 6
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Art and war

I can explore and use different artistic techniques to convey themes of war and conflict.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Art can be used to promote or oppose a war, recruit soldiers, or justify a war
  2. Art can show the impact of war, including battles, the impact on soldiers and civilians, and city destruction.
  3. Art can speak to future conflicts and remind us of our shared humanity

Keywords

  • Propaganda - artwork created to influence people’s opinions, or actions, by promoting a message

  • Commission - when someone pays an artist to create a specific piece based on their request and specifications

Common misconception

Art about war mainly glorifies violence or heroism.

Much art inspired by war actually critiques violence, depicts the horrors of war, and emphasises the human cost.

More information can be found in the additional materials to support with this lesson.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Paper, cardboard, acrylic paint, brushes & palette knife, scissors, glue. Optional: split pins & templates found in additional materials.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of serious crime
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What it the correct term for artwork created to influence people’s opinions, or actions, by promoting a message?

Correct Answer: propaganda

Q2.
What is a limited colour palette?

A colour palette with bright and bold colours only
A colour palette with a wide range of warm and cool tones
Correct answer: A colour palette with a few selected colours
A colour palette with natural colours only

Q3.
Complete the sentence: The subject of an artwork is...

the artist's personal emotions and thoughts
Correct answer: the main focus or theme that the artwork depicts or represents
the materials used to create the artwork
the size and shape of the artwork

Q4.
Which of these is not an example of mark-making?

Dripping and splattering ink to a surface
Using a palette knife to apply paint
Correct answer: Placing a subject in the center of the artwork
Using a paintbrush to create strokes on a canvas

Q5.
What does the term "pose" refer to in art?

The background setting of a painting
The colours used in an artwork
The movement captured in an artwork
Correct answer: The way a subject is positioned or arranged in the artwork

Q6.
How can body pose be used to tell us about the subject in an artwork?

Correct answer: It conveys the subject's mood, character, or comfort level
It describes the shadow and background surrounding the subject
It focuses only on the subject's physical features
It reveals the subject's clothing and accessories

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

5 Questions

Q1.
Which are the three most likely types of artworks commonly created about war and conflict?

Landscape paintings, abstract sculptures, and personal responses
Portraits, propaganda, and abstract art
Correct answer: Propaganda, commissioned war art, and personal responses
Street art, digital art, and commissioned war art

Q2.
Match these keys words and definitions

Correct Answer:propaganda,art created to influence opinions, or actions, by promoting a message

art created to influence opinions, or actions, by promoting a message

Correct Answer:commission,when someone pays an artist to make artwork to their specifications

when someone pays an artist to make artwork to their specifications

Correct Answer:personal response ,art influenced by the experience, emotion or perspective of the artist

art influenced by the experience, emotion or perspective of the artist

Q3.
What do personal response artworks often reflect?

The artist’s desire to promote others' opinions
Correct answer: The artist’s experiences and emotions related to a subject or event
The artist's account of a historical event
The artist’s view of a landscape.

Q4.
Fill the gap: Personal response artworks have greater freedoms to criticise wars and represent the of war than commissioned war art or propaganda.

Correct Answer: horrors, traumas, realities , devastation , consequences

Q5.
Which statement is mostly likely how artists convey their negative experiences and emotions related to war?

By avoiding any form of expression
By employing solely peaceful imagery
Correct answer: By focusing on marks, textures, and impactful imagery
By using colours that only represent peace

Lesson appears in

UnitArt and design / Social action

Art and design

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