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      Mixing secondary colours: spring greens

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can mix a range of greens using my knowledge of primary and secondary colours.

      Key learning points

      1. Know that we can make new colours when we mix two primary colours together.
      2. Know the names of the primary and secondary colours.
      3. Know how to mix a range of greens using primary colours.

      Keywords

      • Primary colour - the three colours that can be mixed together to make other colours

      • Secondary colour - colours that are made by mixing two primary colours together

      • Green - a secondary colour made by mixing blue and yellow together

      Common misconception

      Primary colors are made by mixing other colours together.

      Remind children that primary colours cannot be created by mixing other colours. Secondary colours are made by mixing two primary colours together. For example, blue and yellow make green.

      Teacher tip

      Chidren can work in sketchbooks, or on large sheets of paper. If working in sketchbooks, remind children not to turn over the page, as the paper will stick together.

      Equipment

      Poster paints in blue and green, paintbrushes, sketchbooks/large paper.

      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

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      What colour is the leaf?

      An image in a quiz
      red
      yellow
      Correct answer: green

      Q2.
      Which of the following is used to make a painting?

      a piece of charcoal
      Correct answer: a paintbrush
      a pen

      Q3.
      Which tool is best to draw with?

      eraser
      Correct answer: pencil
      ruler
      book

      Q4.
      Which word best describes this artwork?

      An image in a quiz
      drawing
      Correct answer: painting
      sculpture

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      Green is made by mixing together.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct answer: blue and yellow
      red and orange
      red and purple

      Q2.
      Primary colours are made by mixing other colours together.

      True
      Correct answer: False

      Q3.
      To make a colour you must mix two primary colours together.

      Correct answer: secondary
      bright
      dark

      Q4.
      Which of these is a primary colour?

      purple
      green
      Correct answer: blue

      To help you plan your 1 art and design lesson on: Mixing secondary colours: spring greens, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...