New
New
Year 9

Expressing emotion through art

I can explore emotions through line, symbols and doodles.

New
New
Year 9

Expressing emotion through art

I can explore emotions through line, symbols and doodles.

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

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

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

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Art can be more powerful than words because it transcends language barriers
  2. Sketching can help process feelings and thoughts, serving as a visual diary
  3. Freeform painting or drawing can provide space to express feelings without judgment or expectation

Keywords

  • Emotion - feelings experienced

  • Symbolism - the use of objects, characters or ideas to represent something else.

  • Doodle - a casual, aimless drawing or pattern made while thinking about something else

Common misconception

Doodling is not a valid artform.

Doodling can express emotion, personality and imagination through simple lines and shapes. Many professional artists, illustrators, and designers start their ideas through doodling.


To help you plan your year 9 art and design lesson on: Expressing emotion through art, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Try to let go of perfection and respond to thoughts, emotions, or prompts with quick lines and shapes.
Teacher tip

Equipment

fineliner or biro, pencil, 3D materials e.g. clay, felt, wire. Needle and thread, paint, paintbrushes, scissors.

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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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6 Questions

Q1.
Can line represent emotion? Select all statements that apply.
Correct answer: Yes, sharp jagged lines can represent anger.
No, line alone cannot represent emotion.
Correct answer: Yes, curvy, soft lines might represent calmness.
Q2.
What does the word "express" mean in the following sentence? "Artists often express their feelings through their work."
to speed something up
to remove something
Correct answer: to show or communicate
Q3.
How can art support a person’s wellbeing?
by focusing on technical skills only
Correct answer: by helping people express emotions which could reduce stress
by discouraging creative thinking
Q4.
How can reflecting on artistic practice contribute to wellbeing?
by comparing an artwork to others
by limiting creativity to specific outcomes
Correct answer: by allowing individuals to assess their emotional journey and growth
Q5.
In Western cultures, which colour is usually associated with anger?
blue
yellow
Correct answer: red
Q6.
Which shape could represent calmness?
a geometric triangle
Correct answer: a soft, organic shape
an angular lightening bolt

5 Questions

Q1.
Which statements correctly respond to the question: "Is thinking an emotion?"
Correct answer: Emotions can arise from our thoughts, but thinking itself is not an emotion.
Correct answer: Thinking is a process, not an emotion.
Thinking is an emotion.
Q2.
Which of the following emotions can be expressed through art?
only happiness
only sadness
Correct answer: a wide range of emotions including calmness, joy, and excitement
Q3.
What does it mean to view art as a visual language?
Art is only meaningful when accompanied by text.
Correct answer: Art can communicate ideas, emotions, and messages without words.
Art never tries to express a message.
Q4.
Is doodling a valid art form?
No, it is for passing time only.
No, it’s just random scribbles.
Correct answer: Yes, it can express creativity, emotion, and ideas.
Q5.
What can doodling help improve?
sleepiness
Correct answer: focus, memory, and creativity
physical strength

Additional material

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