New
New
Year 9

Principles of art: variety

I can understand and apply variety in my artwork

New
New
Year 9

Principles of art: variety

I can understand and apply variety in my artwork

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. Variety is the use of different elements to create visual interest and complexity in a work
  2. Variety can be achieved by using different colours, shapes, sizes, textures, lines and materials
  3. Variety can be created by contrasting elements such as light/dark, rough/smooth, or large/small

Keywords

  • Variety - using different elements to create visual interest and complexity in a work

  • Abstract - uses the elements of art, to create ideas or feelings rather than realistic pictures of things.

  • Contrast - when you place very different things next to each other to make each one stand out more.

  • Juxtapose - to put two different things side by side to highlight how they are different

Common misconception

For artwork to employ variety, it needs to be overwhelming or not unified.

Artwork that employs variety can do so in a unified way to still create work that is cohesive.


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

It will help if you have a range of found objects or materials with relief surfaces that you can print with. Examples include - bubblewrap, relief wallpaper, pen lids, rulers, shoes, packaging, string etc.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Paint, dry media, roller, printing ink, relief materials - bubble wrap, textured wallpaper etc, paper, glue, pens, ruler.

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

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the art element to its description:
Correct Answer:line,a mark made on a surface that joins different points

a mark made on a surface that joins different points

Correct Answer:colour,a hue created by light reflected off something and back to the eye

a hue created by light reflected off something and back to the eye

Correct Answer:texture,how something feels

how something feels

Q2.
What is the purpose of composition in art?
To confuse the viewer
Correct answer: To balance different elements
To display all colours equally
Q3.
What is the primary goal of achieving unity in art?
To create a busy effect
Correct answer: To make all parts feel connected
To highlight only one element
Q4.
Arrange these steps for examining an artwork:
1 - Look closely
2 - Identify elements
3 - Consider feelings
4 - Draw conclusions
Q5.
Which printing method involves carving a design into a surface?
Screen printing
Correct answer: Relief printing
Digital printing
Q6.
Composition is the of different elements such as colour and shape within an artwork.
Correct Answer: arrangement, organisation, layout, positioning

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
How does variety contribute to an artwork?
Correct answer: It makes it visually appealing
It removes interest
It adds texture to the work of a collage
Q2.
Which of the following can artists experiment with to add variety?
Correct answer: elements of art
Correct answer: different materials
Correct answer: size and scale
keeping all shapes identical in size
using the same colour throughout the artwork
Q3.
Match the term with its description:
Correct Answer:contrast,using different things next to each other to make each one stand out

using different things next to each other to make each one stand out

Correct Answer:juxtapose,to put two different things side by side to show they are different

to put two different things side by side to show they are different

Correct Answer:variety,using different elements or styles to make a piece interesting

using different elements or styles to make a piece interesting

Correct Answer:composition,the arrangement of the elements in an artwork

the arrangement of the elements in an artwork

Q4.
Where does complexity in art often come from?
Using too many colours
Using one element of art
Correct answer: Introducing variety in elements
Q5.
Which is not an example of contrast?
Light and dark
Positive negative
Correct answer: Colour harmony
Alternative sizes or textures
Geometric vs organic shapes
Q6.
Abstract artists ...
Correct answer: use a variety of elements to make work complex and interesting
make work that is representative of people or places
Correct answer: create ideas or feelings rather than realistic pictures

Additional material

Download additional material