Exploring collage and composition through portraits
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can create a collage portrait by selecting and collaging imagery to achieve a balanced composition.
Key learning points
- A collage combines varied materials like photos, paper and textures to build layers and create visual depth
- Experimenting with composition by arranging and rearranging elements until the layout feels balanced
- Collage can be used to explore portraiture which discuss social histories
Keywords
Variety - the use of different elements to create visual interest and complexity in a work, it can can also be created by contrasting elements such as light versus dark
Balance - how the visual weight of each element is distributed to make the composition feel stable
Composition - the arrangement of, imagery, shapes, colours, textures, marks and lines in an artwork
Common misconception
Collage is just about sticking random images together.
Collage is about careful selection, layering and composition to create meaning, tell stories, represent identity and explore social themes.
Teacher tip
You may want to have students select imagery in advance of the lesson or bring in photos of themseleves.
Equipment
Sources for collage, magazines, waller paper scraps, newspapers, books, your own photogrpahy, scissors, glue.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does 'composition' mean in art?
Q2.A well-balanced composition makes sure no part of an artwork feels too or too empty.
Q3.Match each term with its definition:
Using different elements to create interest
Making sure no part of the artwork overpowers another
The arrangement of elements in an artwork
Q4.Which of these is an example of creating balance in a collage?
Q5.Which are the correct words to fill the gaps: Too much variety in an artwork can make it feel while too little can make it feel ...
Q6.How can high contrast be used in art?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Artists might choose to select imagery or materials, like photos, paper and textures, to build layers and create __________ in their collage.
Q2.In art, refers to using different elements like colour, or texture to create visual interest and prevent monotony.
Q3.Which of the following best describes a collage?
Q4.What can artists use in a collage to convey meaning or create associations?
Q5.Match each statement below to either low visual weight or high visual weight.
A large, bold black square near the centre
A faint, thin line along the edge of the artwork
A heavily textured area with rough brushstrokes
A small, pale-colored circle in the background
A highly detailed and busy area with many elements
A large empty space with minimal detail
Q6.How can artists use images of objects, photos, and text in a collage to explore identity?
To help you plan your 8 art and design lesson on: Exploring collage and composition through portraits, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 art and design lesson on: Exploring collage and composition through portraits, 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 Collage and Assemblage: sustainable materials unit, dive into the full secondary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.