New
New
Year 2

Representing relationships

I can express feelings using colour, lines and shapes.

New
New
Year 2

Representing relationships

I can express feelings using colour, lines and shapes.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Abstract art does not show real objects but instead uses colours, shapes and lines to express feelings and ideas.
  2. Art can express emotions and connect people.
  3. Artists can use visual elements such as colour, space, to show feelings and connections.
  4. Figurative art is a kind of art that shows things we can recognise like people, animals and objects.

Keywords

  • Abstract - a type of art that uses shapes, colours, and lines to show feelings or ideas instead of drawing things exactly how they look in real life.

  • Emotion - a feeling you have inside, like being happy, sad, angry, or excited.

  • Relationship - a special connection you have with someone

  • Composition - how an artist arranges the different elements of an artwork

  • Figurative - a type of art that shows things or people that are really there

Common misconception

Art is only about copying what things look like, rather than expressing feelings.

You can use colours, shapes, or lines to share your mood or ideas.


To help you plan your year 2 art and design lesson on: Representing relationships, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Pupils may need further support with underatanding that different colours mean different things to others.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pens, pencils, paint, sketchbook/paper and paintbrush

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

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What word means “a feeling you have inside, like being happy, sad, angry or excited”?
size
Correct answer: emotion
movement
colour
Q2.
What shape might you use to show love or friendship?
Correct answer: heart
square
rectangle
triangle
Q3.
Which of these is a good way to show anger using lines?
Smooth, wavy lines in cool blue
Correct answer: Jagged, spiky lines in red
Dotted lines in soft pink
Curvy lines in yellow
Q4.
Which of these helps an artist show feelings in their work?
A ruler
Scissors
A glue stick
Correct answer: Bright or dark colours
Q5.
Which line could show calm and peaceful feelings?
A zigzag line
Correct answer: A wavy line
A dot
A spiky line
Q6.
Match the keyword to its definition:
Correct Answer:Colour,Might be bright or dark to show feelings

Might be bright or dark to show feelings

Correct Answer:Line,Might be straight, wavy or jagged

Might be straight, wavy or jagged

Correct Answer:Shape,Might be round, square or heart-shaped

Might be round, square or heart-shaped

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following best describes abstract art?
A painting that looks exactly like a photograph
A sculpture of a dog that looks very realistic
Correct answer: A drawing that uses shapes, colours and lines to show feelings
A realistic pencil sketch of a building
Q2.
Which of these would be an example of a figurative sculpture?
A sculpture of a person with wings and a rainbow-coloured face
A sculpture made from different coloured blocks to show emotion
Correct answer: A clay model of a dog sitting
A sculpture using only lines and shapes with no real figure
Q3.
Artists and designers can express relationships and emotions through ...
Correct answer: colour
numbers
Correct answer: shapes
Correct answer: lines
Q4.
Match the keyword to its correct definition:
Correct Answer:Abstract,A type of art showing shapes and colours to express feelings

A type of art showing shapes and colours to express feelings

Correct Answer:Composition,How an artist arranges elements in artwork

How an artist arranges elements in artwork

Correct Answer:Relationship,A connection you have with someone

A connection you have with someone