Pop Art: finding sources and researching an idea
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can find and research source images to develop a Pop Art idea.
Key learning points
- Artists gather and select images and information to support themes and enrich their ideas.
- Pop artists often use found sources (magazines, adverts, media) to reflect modern culture.
- Research helps to develop clearer, more meaningful artistic ideas.
- Thoughtful sourcing leads to stronger and more personal Pop Art outcomes.
Keywords
Source - an image, object, or idea used as inspiration for an artwork
Research - gathering and studying information to develop or support creative ideas
Theme - the main subject or message behind an artwork
Common misconception
Researching means copying images exactly into your final artwork.
Research is about gathering inspiration and developing ideas, not copying. Artists reinterpret and combine sources in creative and personal ways.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to choose sources that connect with their own interests - this builds engagement and ownership of their final artwork. Use guiding questions like: "Why did you choose this image?" and "What do you want your artwork to say?"
Equipment
Printed magazines, newspapers, packaging, photos. Scissors, glue sticks, coloured pencils/felt tips. Access to tablets or printed internet image sources (if available).
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why might a Pop artist repeat the same object in a sculpture?
Q2.Which of these is an example of subject matter in a Pop Art sculpture?
Q3.How can a Pop artist’s use of colour or repetition help inspire your own artwork?
Q4.Put the following parts of analysing an artwork in the best order:
Q5.What do we call the materials an artist uses, like paint, card or fabric?
Q6.What word describes your own personal meaning of a piece of art?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a source image in Pop Art?
Q2.What does research mean when planning Pop Art?
Q3.Match the art term to its definition:
An image or object used for inspiration
Finding out more about an idea or subject
The main idea or topic behind your artwork
Q4.Match the Pop Art image source to the most likely theme it could support:
Junk food culture
Fame and power
Consumerism
Q5.Put these research steps in the best order when starting a Pop Art idea:
Q6.What do we call the main idea your artwork is based on?
To help you plan your 6 art and design lesson on: Pop Art: finding sources and researching an idea, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 art and design lesson on: Pop Art: finding sources and researching an idea, 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 New Pop Art: sculpture and mixed-media unit, dive into the full primary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.