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Year 4

Create a low relief ceramic tile: decorate and evaluate

I can decorate and evaluate my low relief tile

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New
New
Year 4

Create a low relief ceramic tile: decorate and evaluate

I can decorate and evaluate my low relief tile

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Artists can add layers of material to their clay tile, including paint and varnish.
  2. Varnishing clay can help it to be more durable and better protected against scratches and dirt.
  3. Artists participate in group critiques to share feedback and ideas, helping improve and learn from each other's work.

Keywords

  • Layer - placing one thing on top of another, such as layers of paint

  • Varnish - a clear coating that you put on artwork or objects to protect them

  • Group critique - when a group of people share their thoughts and ideas about each other’s artwork to help improve and learn from it

Common misconception

Artists have group critiques to just suggest ways to make an artwork better.

Group critiques can be useful for an artist to get new ideas or suggestions, but are also useful for other artists to hear the reasons behind the artist's choices.


To help you plan your year 4 art and design lesson on: Create a low relief ceramic tile: decorate and evaluate, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

For Task A, pupils may need to leave a few minutes for their paint to dry between layers. Additionally, PVA glue can be used as a varnish to create a more durable finish.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Dry clay tiles, acrylic paint, pva glue, paintbrushes, water pots

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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Put these steps in order for using tracing paper.
An image in a quiz
1 - Attach tracing paper with masking tape over original image
2 - Use a sharp pencil to trace over your outlines
3 - Place the tracing paper over the surface that you wish to transfer to
4 - Draw over the lines to create a copy of the original
Q2.
What tool would you most likely use to "carve" a design into your clay tile?
A paintbrush
Correct answer: A sharp tool
A rolling pin
A sponge
Q3.
Put the steps in the correct order for creating a low relief ceramic tile.
1 - Design and plan the shape and features of the tile
2 - Trace the design to create a full scale copy
3 - Roll out the clay using guide sticks to control the clay thickness
4 - Trace the design onto the clay
5 - Build up the relief by adding layers of clay
6 - Shape and create texture to completed surface of the tile
Q4.
Select the picture that represents low relief sculpture.
A
Correct answer: B
C
Q5.
True or false? When transferring your design to clay you should press down very hard on the tracing paper to transfer the lines to the clay.
true
Correct answer: false
Q6.
Match the term to its correct definition.
Correct Answer:Trace,Drawing over the outline of an image or shape to copy it.

Drawing over the outline of an image or shape to copy it.

Correct Answer:Design,The process of planning and creating something.

The process of planning and creating something.

Correct Answer:Guide sticks,A tool used to ensure the clay is the same depth all over.

A tool used to ensure the clay is the same depth all over.

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
True or false? Clay cannot be worked with unless it is very wet.
true
Correct answer: false
Q2.
Varnish is a coating that you put on artwork or objects to protect them.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: clear, see through, transparent, shiny, glossy
Q3.
What does the word "layer" mean when decorating your ceramic tile?
To mix different colours together
To add a single coat of paint or glaze
Correct answer: To place one thing on top of another, like layers of paint
To smooth out the surface of the tile
Q4.
Why can a textured surface be challenging to paint?
the paint dries too quickly
Correct answer: it is hard to paint smoothly
the paint may drip off the surface easily
Q5.
Which stage of pottery is best for carving your design into a clay tile?
Soft wet clay
Correct answer: Leather hard clay
Dry clay
Q6.
Match the term to its correct definition.
Correct Answer:Layer,placing one thing on top of another, such as layers of paint

placing one thing on top of another, such as layers of paint

Correct Answer:Varnish,a clear coating that you put on artwork or objects to protect them

a clear coating that you put on artwork or objects to protect them

Correct Answer:Group critique,to share thoughts about each other’s art to help each other improve

to share thoughts about each other’s art to help each other improve