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Create a space inspired composition

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can create and evaluate a composition inspired by space.

Key learning points

  1. When artists talk about the background of an artwork, they mean everything that is behind the main image or images.
  2. Evaluating artwork is an important part of the design process.
  3. Offering feedback to other artists, helps them improve over time.

Keywords

  • Background - everything that is behind the main image, or images, in an artwork

  • Wash and ink - using ink and water to create a blended effect

  • Evaluate - when we think about our artwork to understand how good it is and how we could make it better

  • Feedback - sharing your ideas about other people’s artwork

Common misconception

Backgrounds in artworks are not as important as the images within an artwork.

Remind children that backgrounds to artworks can make an image more interesting, or tell us more about the images within an artwork. They can also make an artwork look more three-dimensional.

Teacher tip

Use thick paper or watercolour paper for the ink and wash to prevent the paper from becoming saturated. For Task B, Additional materials could be used to support the pupils with the evaluation task.

Equipment

Thick card or paper, inks in blue and black, paintbrushes, waterpots, paper planets and stars, glue.

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

4 Questions

Q1.
What is this describing: a tool used to cut paper.

Correct answer: scissors
eraser
pencil

Q2.
What might you see in an image showing out of space?

Correct answer: planets
grass
cars

Q3.
Which of these tools might you use to paint with?

Correct answer: a brush
a pencil
charcoal

Q4.
What is masking tape most likely to be used for?

Correct answer: sticking things together
cutting paper
painting a picture

4 Questions

Q1.
Which of these describes a background?

Correct answer: everything that is behind the main image, or images, in an artwork
everything that is in front of the main image, or images, in an artwork
everything that is overlapping the main image, or images, in an artwork

Q2.
Match the words with their meaning.

Correct Answer:wash and ink,using ink and water to create a blended effect

using ink and water to create a blended effect

Correct Answer:feedback,sharing your ideas about other people’s artwork

sharing your ideas about other people’s artwork

Correct Answer:evaluate,when we think about our artwork

when we think about our artwork

Q3.
To make a wash and ink, an artist mixes a amount of ink with water.

black
large
small

Q4.
Evaluating artwork is an important part of the creative process.

Correct answer: True
False

To help you plan your 1 art and design lesson on: Create a space inspired composition, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...