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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can use a variety of digital tools to manipulate images to create a digital dreamscape.

      Key learning points

      1. Artists can digitally manipulate images and photographs using crop, saturation and contrast adjustment tools.
      2. Shapes and colour can be used to fill a digital space.
      3. An artist can overlap images to add depth to their composition.

      Keywords

      • Digital manipulation - to change or alter an image using digital technology

      • Adjustment tools - to use tools such as contrast, brightness or crop to change an image

      • Depth - where an artwork looks like it is three dimensional

      Common misconception

      Photographic images always reflect reality.

      Remind children that photographic images can be digitally manipulated using a computer or digital software, they do not always reflect reality.

      Teacher tip

      Most digital editing apps contain brightness, contrast and crop as adjustment tools, but the lesson can be adapted with further editing tools if they are available to you.

      Equipment

      Computer/tablet

      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

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Tone can only be achieved with charcoal.

      True
      Correct answer: False

      Q2.
      Which composition style could be useful to an artist?

      square
      Correct answer: triangular
      circular

      Q3.
      Artists always make artwork based upon something they have seen in the real world.

      True
      Correct answer: False

      Q4.
      How can overlapping images help an artist to share what is most important in their artwork?

      Correct answer: by placing the images which are most important at the front
      by using different colours
      by using different shapes

      Q5.
      Which of these statements about photographs are not true?

      Photographs can be cropped.
      Correct answer: Photographs are always a true reflection of reality.
      Photographs can have their contrast digitally changed.

      Q6.
      Digital manipulation means to an image using digital technology.

      recognise
      pick
      Correct answer: change

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      Photographic images always reflect reality.

      True
      Correct answer: False

      Q2.
      A cropping tool can be used to ...

      add to an image.
      Correct answer: remove part of an image.
      edit and colour an image.

      Q3.
      means to change or alter an image using digital technology.

      Digital media
      Correct answer: Digital manipulation
      Digital scene

      Q4.
      An artist can images to add depth to their composition.

      overline
      overuse
      Correct answer: overlap

      To help you plan your 4 art and design lesson on: Design a digital dreamscape, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...