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Year 8

Mark-marking: preparing the surface for painting

I can understand why artists prepare their surfaces and can prepare my own backgrounds for painting on.

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New
New
Year 8

Mark-marking: preparing the surface for painting

I can understand why artists prepare their surfaces and can prepare my own backgrounds for painting on.

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 use a range of materials in their painting and this can add layers of meaning
  2. By ripping and collaging we can symbolise memory and the layering of experience in paintings
  3. Using resist techniques with wax or tape can be used as a symbol
  4. Transfer techniques give work a faded, ghostly appearance, evoking themes of memory or the passage of time.

Keywords

  • Wash - a thin, transparent layer of paint, usually created by diluting the pigment with water in watercolour, ink, or thinned acrylics

  • Layer - a layer is one part of an artwork that sits on top of or underneath another. Artists build up layers using paint, pencil, collage, or texture to create depth and detail

  • Collage - cut, layered, and glued materials onto a surface to create a piece of art

Common misconception

Artists start a painting or drawing on a plain piece of paper

Often artists create surfaces and backgrounds to work on, it makes the piece have less gaps and is interesting to work over.


To help you plan your year 8 art and design lesson on: Mark-marking: preparing the surface for painting, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

The young artists might work on several pieces of paper and then spend time collating them and presenting them in a sketchbook or on paper.
Teacher tip

Equipment

sand, salt, brushes, found objects, thin paper, ink, acrylic, tape, PVA glue

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.
Why do artists often prepare their surfaces before painting?
To ensure the surface is sturdy enough to hold the artwork.
Correct answer: To create a consistent base that improves paint adhesion and longevity.
To make the surface easier to frame and display.
To make the paint dry faster.
Q2.
How might artists prepare their surfaces in creative ways to enhance their artwork?
Correct answer: By adding texture with layers of gesso or collage materials.
By sketching a detailed blueprint to follow precisely.
Correct answer: By layering the surface with reflective materials.
By covering the entire surface in white.
Q3.
Match the definition to the correct word:
Correct Answer:Adhesion,To help the paint stick better and adhere to the surface

To help the paint stick better and adhere to the surface

Correct Answer:Texture,To create surface qualities with variety such as rough and smooth

To create surface qualities with variety such as rough and smooth

Correct Answer:Longevity,To make the artwork more durable, preventing damage over time

To make the artwork more durable, preventing damage over time

Correct Answer:Appearance,To ensure the final look is smooth and visually pleasing

To ensure the final look is smooth and visually pleasing

Q4.
Match each step in preparing a wash with its correct description:
Correct Answer:Mix pigment with water,Combine paint and water until the colour is diluted.

Combine paint and water until the colour is diluted.

Correct Answer:Test on a scrap piece of paper,Check how the wash appears on a separate surface.

Check how the wash appears on a separate surface.

Correct Answer:Adjust consistency,Add more water or pigment to get the desired transparency.

Add more water or pigment to get the desired transparency.

Correct Answer:Apply quickly and evenly,Spread the wash in smooth, even strokes before it dries.

Spread the wash in smooth, even strokes before it dries.

Q5.
What is the primary purpose of preparing a wash before applying it to a painting surface?
Correct Answer: To ensure the desired effect, To adjust the paint’s flow, To test the colour, For smooth application.
Q6.
Do all art materials respond the same on different surfaces?
Yes, because the materials remain consistent regardless of the surface
Correct answer: No, because the texture and characteristics of each surface affect the material
Yes, but only if the materials are applied with the same pressure
No, but only when working outdoors

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Why do artists keep their test surfaces in a sketchbook?
Correct Answer: To record the process, To compare, To have a record of colour, As a portfolio of tests, To use them in future artworks
Q2.
How do you prepare a surface for a collage?
Correct answer: Apply glue to both the surface and each material before arranging them.
Paint the surface with a colour before adding any materials.
Roughen the surface slightly to help materials adhere better.
Lay out the materials on the surface without any adhesive to ensure flexibility.
Q3.
Put these steps in order to successfully use salt on a watercolour wash:
1 - Let the wash become damp, not too wet or too dry.
2 - Sprinkle salt lightly across the wash.
3 - Allow the salt to sit until the wash is fully dry.
4 - Gently brush away the dried salt crystals.
Q4.
How do you create resist effects in your surface?
Correct answer: Apply masking tape to the areas you want to protect before painting.
Use a hairdryer to rapidly dry one layer of paint before applying another.
Add a clear varnish on top of the surface before starting.
Paint a thick layer of colour and let it dry completely before adding water.
Q5.
What can you use to create a really textured surface?
Correct Answer: salt or sand, Modelling paste, Thick gesso, Coarse acrylic medium
Q6.
Which technique is best for creating a watery surface that resembles the sea in a painting?
Correct answer: Use thin, fluid layers of paint with overlapping washes.
Apply thick, opaque strokes of paint in straight lines.
Add rough, heavy texture with a palette knife.
Use dry-brush strokes on an unprimed surface.

Additional material

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