New
New
Year 5

Create an abstract composition

I can use tools of my own making to create an abstract composition

New
New
Year 5

Create an abstract composition

I can use tools of my own making to create an abstract composition

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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. Artists can use material qualities to enhance mood, movement and meaning in a composition.
  2. Artists can refer to mark-making samples or testers to remember tools and processes used to create specific marks.
  3. Abstract compositions might include the shapes and lines found in everyday objects, imagining them in a new way.

Keywords

  • Abstract - art that does not try to represent something realistically

  • Composition - the arrangement of visual elements such as shapes, colours and lines, within an artwork

  • Mark-making - the lines, dots and scratches created by tools

Common misconception

All papers have the same texture.

Remind children that different papers have different textures. For example, tracing paper is smooth and thin, while watercolor paper is thick and textured. Materials can look and behave differently depending on the surface of the paper.


To help you plan your year 5 art and design lesson on: Create an abstract composition, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

If children are unable to access objects from home for this lesson, objects from around the school or classroom would be appropriate. Children could also use digital devices to find images suitable for this task.
Teacher tip

Equipment

ink, textured papers, paintbrushes, self-made mark-making tools from previous lesson, water pots, scissors

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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6 Questions

Q1.
What is mark-making?
creating music
Correct answer: making lines, dots, and scratches
Writing stories
Q2.
Mark-making tools can be made from or found materials.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: natural
Q3.
Match the tool with its description:
Correct Answer:Paintbrush,Commonly used for painting

Commonly used for painting

Correct Answer:Dotting stick,Used by First Nation Australian artists

Used by First Nation Australian artists

Correct Answer:Chicken feather,Used by Esther Mahlangu

Used by Esther Mahlangu

Q4.
True or False: all cultures use paintbrushes as their primary tool for art.
True
Correct answer: False
Q5.
Why might an artist test their mark-making tools?
To get perfect marks
Correct answer: To see what marks they can make
To make their tools look pretty
Q6.
Using materials unique to you helps to tell a in your artwork.
Correct Answer: story, tale, narrative

6 Questions

Q1.
What is abstract art?
Art that represents something realistically
Correct answer: Art that does not try to represent reality
Art that uses only one colour
Q2.
The arrangement of visual elements in an artwork is called ...
Correct Answer: composition
Q3.
Match the term with its definition:
Correct Answer:Composition,Arrangement of visual elements

Arrangement of visual elements

Correct Answer:Mark-making,Creating lines and textures

Creating lines and textures

Correct Answer:Abstract art,Artwork not depicting reality

Artwork not depicting reality

Correct Answer:,

Correct Answer:,

Correct Answer:,

Q4.
True or False: all papers used in art have the same texture.
True
Correct answer: False
Q5.
Why do artists layer ink in their compositions?
To hide the paper
Correct answer: To create depth and texture
To make it look messy
Q6.
Using everyday objects as inspiration helps artists to create __________ compositions.
Correct Answer: abstract