Exploring abstract art
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore, respond to and create abstract art
Key learning points
- Abstract art expresses emotions, ideas, or movement rather than depicting how things looks in real life.
- Abstract artists might respond to a memory, personal experience or an image that they see.
- Abstract artworks might use colours, shapes, textures and patterns to express emotions.
Keywords
Abstract art - art that does not try to represent something realistically
Response - a personal interpretation or reaction to an event, image or idea
Emotion - a strong feeling like happiness, anger, or sadness that comes from what we experience or think
Common misconception
Abstract art copies exactly what something looks like.
Remind children that abstract art is art that does not try to represent something realistically, but instead focuses on emotions, shapes and movements.
Teacher tip
To reference images for a personal memory, chilldren may need access to digital devices.
Equipment
drawing pens, drawing ink, acrylic paint, water pots, paintbrushes
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Can you match these colours to their definition?
Primary colour hue
Secondary colour hue
Secondary colour hue
Q2.To create a secondary colour such as green, we need to mix:
Q3.Match the keyword to its definition:
Adding white to a colour
Adding black to a colour
Group of chosen colours for artwork
How something feels or looks like it would feel
Q4.Which of these are primary colours?
Q5.Which colour do you get by adding black to green?
Q6.To create a lighter blue, you would add ...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following are true of Abstract art?
Q2.Abstract artists often use and shapes to convey feelings.
Q3.Match the keywords with their meanings:
A strong feeling from experiences
Art that does not represent reality
A personal reaction to something
Q4.Which artist is known for using repeated circles in their artwork?
Q5.In abstract art, the focus is on how the artwork makes you and not on creating a realistic likeness.
Q6.How might abstract artists express their response to a subject?
To help you plan your 5 art and design lesson on: Exploring abstract art, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 5 art and design lesson on: Exploring abstract art, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 art and design lessons from the Abstract art: drawing, printing and textiles unit, dive into the full primary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.