New
New
Lesson 4 of 11
  • Year 10

Analysing the work of artists and designers: materials and techniques

I can identify the significance of primary materials in art

Lesson 4 of 11
New
New
  • Year 10

Analysing the work of artists and designers: materials and techniques

I can identify the significance of primary materials in art

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. An artist's selection of materials used in an artwork, contribute to the overall effect and meaning of the work
  2. Different materials have various qualities and textures
  3. Materials can have symbolic meaning or cultural significance which can enhance the narrative of an artwork

Keywords

  • Primary - main or most important

  • Materials - a substance or combination of substances that constitutes an object

  • Symbolic - visual work that represents an idea

Common misconception

Art materials don’t matter beyond how they look or feel.

Materials can carry deep personal and cultural meanings that add important layers to the artwork’s story and message.


To help you plan your year 10 art and design lesson on: Analysing the work of artists and designers: materials and techniques, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage pupils to reflect deeply on their personal and cultural connections to materials. Prompt them with questions about memories, traditions, or stories linked to their chosen materials to help them create more meaningful and authentic artwork.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Oil/chalk pastels, paint, brushes, wire, clay, threads and yarns, modroc, paper

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

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a storyboard?

a type of sculpture made from cardboard and string
Correct answer: a sequence of drawings or images that plan out a story or idea
a decorative board used to display finished artwork

Q2.
What is annotation in art?

creating a border or frame around your artwork
adding colour to your final piece
Correct answer: writing down thoughts, explanations, or reflections next to your work

Q3.
What does it mean to present a concept in art?

to copy another artist’s idea for your own work
Correct answer: to explain and show the idea behind your artwork clearly
to choose which materials you want to use
to create a slideshow of an artist's biography

Q4.
Which of the following are ways you can annotate your artwork?

Correct answer: writing about the materials and techniques you used
sketching connected imagery only
Correct answer: recording voice notes

Q5.
What is digital annotation?

posting your artwork online
creating a slideshow of your artwork with images only
Correct answer: adding notes, comments, or labels to digital images or documents using a device

Q6.
Annotation is important in art because it shows your , choices, and development

Correct Answer: thinking, ideas, voice

Additional material

Download additional material