The elements of art: texture
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can understand how texture can be created and translated in both 2D and 3D forms.
Key learning points
- Texture can be either physical where we can touch and feel it or visual where there is the illusion of a surface.
- We can create texture by using mark making and materials in different ways.
- We can create texture through using mixed media and layering different materials onto a surface to create a composition.
Keywords
Texture - there are two types of texture: actual texture and implied texture
Implied - suggested or shown indirectly, not actually there but made to look like it is
Impress - in art, to press a tool, object, or texture into a soft material (like clay) to leave a mark or pattern
Common misconception
Texture is only about how something feels, not how it looks.
Texture can mean how something feels, and we call that physical texture. But artists can also create the illusion of texture in drawings or paintings — that’s called visual texture.
Teacher tip
Encourage students to explore animal textures through research. Provide a variety of textured tools (combs, forks, found objects) and pre-cut clay to save time. Focus on building confidence with pinch moulding and shaping simple forms to create expressive, tactile animals.
Equipment
Sketchbooks, drawing media (charcoal, paint, ink), mark-making tools, clay, clay tools, found objects for impressing, water pots, aprons, reference images of animals.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the main purpose of expressive mark making in art?
Q2.Which of these is NOT part of the creative industries?
Q3.Which tools might be used for creating textured marks?
Q4.Match the words to their meanings
The feel or look of a surface
How colours mix and affect each other
Place to record and develop ideas
How art elements are arranged
Q5.Which colour combination creates the strongest contrast in a composition?
Q6.Artists use their sketchbooks to and revisit creative ideas.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is implied texture in art?
Q2.To create real texture in clay, you can tools or objects into the surface.
Q3.Which technique might an artist use to create implied texture on paper?
Q4.Match the words to their meanings.
Surface feel or look
Texture that looks real
Pressing into a surface
Object used to create a texture or effect
Q5.Which material is best for impressing real texture?
Q6.Repeating marks in clay creates texture with rhythm and .
To help you plan your 7 art and design lesson on: The elements of art: texture, 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 elements of art: texture, 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 elements of art unit, dive into the full secondary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.