Mark-making: matching technique to stimuli
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can select and refine mark-making techniques in response to different stimuli.
Key learning points
- A stimulus is anything that sparks inspiration and helps us to experiment, and express concepts or feelings.
- We can make different textures and marks, such as drips and splattering, to respond to different stimuli.
- We can select the technique and medium for an artwork in response to what we aim to communicate about a stimulus.
Keywords
Technique - a specific way of using tools and materials to achieve a particular effect in an artwork
Medium - the material or substance like watercolour, oil paint, or charcoal that an artist uses to create their artwork
Materials - the physical items an artist uses to create artwork, such as paints, brushes, paper, clay, or fabric
Common misconception
When observing a stimulus, it is best to respond using pencil.
Different stimuli, call for different methods like, loose washes, impasto, detailed line work, collage, etc. Matching technique to stimuli ensures the artwork communicates its idea effectively.
Teacher tip
For Task B you could supply examples of actual foliage in the classroom or where possible pupils could take photographs of foliage on the school site. Further information about the artists mentioned in the deck can be found in the Additional materials.
Equipment
Watercolour paint, brushes, paper, tissue.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why is it important to experiment with different materials in art?
Q2.What does the word medium mean in art?
Q3.Match the keyword to its definition.
the process of creating different lines, textures, and patterns in art
instruments or materials used by artists to create marks
this refers to the way a surface feels or looks like it feels
conveys ideas without directly representing objects or scenes
a source of inspiration or reference that sparks ideas for artwork
conveying thought and feeling
Q4.Why is using different types of tools important for abstract artists?
Q5.What does the word technique mean in art?
Q6.What technique could you choose to draw a cone shaped shell?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.How could I use a twig in my artwork today?
Q2.Why is it important to match your technique to the stimulus in art?
Q3.Match the technique with the most appropriate medium.
acrylic or poster paint
watercolour
charcoal
oil pastel
fineliner
Q4.Match the keywords to the meanings.
it is a specific way of using tools and materials to achieve an effect
medium is the material or substance that an artist uses to create
materials are the physical items an artist uses to create artwork
a source of inspiration or reference that sparks ideas for artwork
conveying thought and feeling
the process of creating different lines, textures, and patterns in art
Q5.Order the stages of creating a watercolour painting of leaves.
Q6.Which of these are stimuli?
To help you plan your 8 art and design lesson on: Mark-making: matching technique to stimuli, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 art and design lesson on: Mark-making: matching technique to stimuli, 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 3 art and design lessons from the Abstract painting: sustainable materials unit, dive into the full secondary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.