The presence of nature in art
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can create art that is inspired by nature using traditional materials and natural elements.
Key learning points
- Throughout history artists often turn to nature as inspiration.
- Artists draw to document ideas, observations, and processes. This can be experimental or from direct observation.
- Artists explore nature through representation, as well as literally creating work with and in nature.
Keywords
Observation - looking, noticing and paying attention to something carefully
Organic - shapes that do not have straight lines and are found in nature
Geometric - shapes that have uniform measurements and do not appear in nature
Record - a way to document ideas, observations, and creative processes for future reference or reflection
Common misconception
Artists inspired by nature can only look carefully at natural forms and record them.
Artists can make art in and with nature as well as recording from nature.
Teacher tip
The additional materials contains further artist information and images of natural forms.
Equipment
Paper, pencils, rubber, natural sticks, inks. If possbile: natural forms.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is observational drawing?
Q2.What is the best way to start an observational drawing?
Q3.Match the terms with their correct descriptions.
Q4.What does "recording" mean in art?
Q5.Match these key words with their descriptions.
Q6.Match the term with the best description.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.When drawing from observation why is it best to start with the basic shapes you notice?
Q2.Put the following steps in order for creating an observational drawing of a natural form. Arrange them from the first step to the last step.
Q3.What does using a stick with ink instead of a regular pen, pencil or brush do to your drawing?
Q4.Match the term with the correct description about close observation in art.
Q5.How do artists use nature in their artwork?
Q6.In addition to drawing from nature, how else can artists use nature in their work?
To help you plan your 7 art and design lesson on: The presence of nature in art, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 7 art and design lesson on: The presence of nature in art, 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 The importance of nature in art unit, dive into the full secondary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.