New
New
Painting: finalising a facial expression painting
I can add expressive details to enhance a painted facial expression.
Lesson 6 of 6
New
New
- Year 5
Painting: finalising a facial expression painting
I can add expressive details to enhance a painted facial expression.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Identify and apply finishing techniques such as blending, adding highlights, and creating texture.
- Use colour, tone, and contrast effectively to enhance a painting.
- Evaluate and refine an artwork as it progresses.
Keywords
Detail - a small part of something that adds to its overall appearance
Brush technique - the method of applying paint with a brush to create different effects
Contrast - the difference between light and dark
Blending - mixing colours or shades together smoothly
Common misconception
The largest features of a facial expression convey the most emotion.
Applying details and small adjustments to a facial expression such as tone, texture and highlights can make them more dynamic, expressive and realistic.
Encourage pupils to focus on small details like highlights, shadows, and texture to enhance expression. Use questioning to guide reflection: "What emotion do you see?" "How does tone or texture amplify it?" Celebrate progress, emphasising that refinement is part of the creative process.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Paints, paintbrushes, water in pots, palette for mixing paintings, pencils, rubbers, paper.
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
6 Questions
Q1.How can eyebrows change an expression?
How can eyebrows change an expression?
by changing colour
by growing longer
Q2.What does red often symbolise in a painting?
What does red often symbolise in a painting?
calmness
sadness
Q3.What does the term 'proportion' refer to?
What does the term 'proportion' refer to?
the colour of something compared to another object
how light or dark something is compared to each other
Q4.What is meant by a ‘facial expression’?
What is meant by a ‘facial expression’?
a colour scheme
a painting style
Q5.What is the role of finishing touches?
What is the role of finishing touches?
change the subject
simplify the artwork
Q6.Texture is an element of art that refers to how something or the appearance of a surface.
Texture is an element of art that refers to how something or the appearance of a surface.
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.What can texture help to show in a painting?
What can texture help to show in a painting?
the age of the painting
how many colours were used
Q2. are areas where the light hits a subject.
are areas where the light hits a subject.
shadows
mid-tones
Q3.What technique would you use to show fine details, like wrinkles or hair strands?
What technique would you use to show fine details, like wrinkles or hair strands?
thick layers of paint
using only a sponge
Q4.Why is contrast important in portrait painting?
Why is contrast important in portrait painting?
It makes the overall painting brighter.
It removes shadows.
Q5.What is a good way to improve your painting when refining it?
What is a good way to improve your painting when refining it?
Cover it entirely with new paint to enhance the painting.
Use only one brush size to enhance the painting.
