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      The presence of nature in art

      I can create art that is inspired by nature using traditional materials and natural elements.

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      Lesson 1 of 6
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      • Year 7

      The presence of nature in art

      I can create art that is inspired by nature using traditional materials and natural elements.

      Lesson details

      Key learning points

      1. Throughout history artists often turn to nature as inspiration.
      2. Artists draw to document ideas, observations, and processes. This can be experimental or from direct observation.
      3. Artists explore nature through representation, as well as literally creating work with and in nature.

      Keywords

      • Observation - looking, noticing and paying attention to something carefully

      • Organic - shapes that do not have straight lines and are found in nature

      • Geometric - shapes that have uniform measurements and do not appear in nature

      • Record - a way to document ideas, observations, and creative processes for future reference or reflection

      Common misconception

      Artists inspired by nature can only look carefully at natural forms and record them.

      Artists can make art in and with nature as well as recording from nature.

      The additional materials contains further artist information and images of natural forms.
      Teacher tip

      Equipment

      Paper, pencils, rubber, natural sticks, inks. If possbile: natural forms.

      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

      Download quiz pdf

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      What is observational drawing?

      drawing from your imagination and not looking at something
      Correct answer: drawing something you see in real life by looking at it carefully
      drawing with your eyes closed but remembering something
      dolouring a picture using a chosen colour palette

      Q2.
      What is the best way to start an observational drawing?

      Correct answer: Draw the larger, basic shapes first.
      Draw all the tiny details first.
      Colour it in right away.
      Work from the top to the bottom of the page.

      Q3.
      Match the terms with their correct descriptions.

      Correct Answer:organic shapes,smooth, flowing, or unpredictable edges
      Correct Answer:geometric shapes,mathematical shapes like squares, triangles, and circles
      Correct Answer:irregular shapes,uneven or asymmetrical shapes

      Q4.
      What does "recording" mean in art?

      creating a detailed final artwork right away
      Correct answer: making a visual record of something the artist sees, like a sketch or a photo
      repeating the same artwork over and over
      writing about artwork in a journal

      Q5.
      Match these key words with their descriptions.

      Correct Answer:observation,looking, noticing and paying attention to something carefully
      Correct Answer:photographic,relating to or resembling photographs
      Correct Answer:evaluation,the process of thinking about the success and weakness of an artwork
      Correct Answer:record,to document ideas, observations, and creative processes

      Q6.
      Match the term with the best description.

      Correct Answer:drawing from nature,observing the world around us including trees, animals and flowers
      Correct Answer:observation,drawing by looking carefully at something in front of you
      Correct Answer:real life,looking at something real in the world around you to create art.
      Correct Answer:imagination,using your own creativity to develop new ideas

      Assessment exit quiz

      Download quiz pdf

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      When drawing from observation why is it best to start with the basic shapes you notice?

      to make the drawing more complicated
      Correct answer: to help break down the complex form into easier parts
      to avoid showing any details
      to make the drawing look less realistic

      Q2.
      Put the following steps in order for creating an observational drawing of a natural form. Arrange them from the first step to the last step.

      1 - Develop geometric shapes to outline the basic structure.
      2 - Include organic shapes to capture the natural curves and irregular shapes.
      3 - Gradually develop tonal shading to show light and dark areas.
      4 - Use mark-making to show detail and texture and explore surface.

      Q3.
      What does using a stick with ink instead of a regular pen, pencil or brush do to your drawing?

      makes the drawing look smoother and more controlled
      Correct answer: adds a sense of spontaneity and unexpected mark-making effects
      limits the drawing to only fine details
      makes the drawing look more like a photograph

      Q4.
      Match the term with the correct description about close observation in art.

      Correct Answer:examining details carefully,observing carefully to notice and understand individual elements
      Correct Answer:looking at the whole form,seeing the general shape and size of the subject
      Correct Answer:understanding texture,noticing smooth or rough surfaces
      Correct Answer:observing light and shadow,looking at how light and shade fall on the subject
      Correct Answer:analysing proportions,checking the size and relationship between different parts

      Q5.
      How do artists use nature in their artwork?

      copying nature exactly as it appears only
      Correct answer: using elements of nature like shapes, colours, and textures to inspire
      by drawing man-made elements
      Correct answer: by using natural forms as tools or materials for creating artwork

      Q6.
      In addition to drawing from nature, how else can artists use nature in their work?

      Correct answer: They can use nature as a tool to draw, build, create texture or marks.
      They can only draw nature directly.
      Correct answer: They can use natural materials, textures, and forms to create their art.
      They never use natural tools or materials in their artwork.

      Lesson appears in

      UnitArt and design / The importance of nature in art

      Art and design

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