New
New
Exploring abstract art
I can explore, respond to and create abstract art
Lesson 1 of 6
New
New
- Year 5
Exploring abstract art
I can explore, respond to and create abstract art
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Abstract art expresses emotions, ideas, or movement rather than depicting how things looks in real life.
- Abstract artists might respond to a memory, personal experience or an image that they see.
- Abstract artworks might use colours, shapes, textures and patterns to express emotions.
Keywords
Abstract art - art that does not try to represent something realistically
Response - a personal interpretation or reaction to an event, image or idea
Emotion - a strong feeling like happiness, anger, or sadness that comes from what we experience or think
Common misconception
Abstract art copies exactly what something looks like.
Remind children that abstract art is art that does not try to represent something realistically, but instead focuses on emotions, shapes and movements.
To reference images for a personal memory, chilldren may need access to digital devices.
Teacher tip
Equipment
drawing pens, drawing ink, acrylic paint, water pots, paintbrushes
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), 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
6 Questions
Q1.Can you match these colours to their definition?
Can you match these colours to their definition?
Q2.To create a secondary colour such as green, we need to mix:
To create a secondary colour such as green, we need to mix:
red and blue
yellow and red
Q3.Match the keyword to its definition:
Match the keyword to its definition:
Q4.Which of these are primary colours?
Which of these are primary colours?
green
brown
Q5.Which colour do you get by adding black to green?
Which colour do you get by adding black to green?
light green
light Blue
Q6.To create a lighter blue, you would add ...
To create a lighter blue, you would add ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following are true of Abstract art?
Which of the following are true of Abstract art?
It always represents real-life objects
It uses realistic colours only
Q2.Abstract artists often use and shapes to convey feelings.
Abstract artists often use and shapes to convey feelings.
Q3.Match the keywords with their meanings:
Match the keywords with their meanings:
Q4.Which artist is known for using repeated circles in their artwork?
Which artist is known for using repeated circles in their artwork?
Gillian Ayres
Park Seo-Bo
Q5.In abstract art, the focus is on how the artwork makes you and not on creating a realistic likeness.
In abstract art, the focus is on how the artwork makes you and not on creating a realistic likeness.
Q6.How might abstract artists express their response to a subject?
How might abstract artists express their response to a subject?
By copying it exactly
By avoiding emotion in their work
