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Lesson 5 of 18
  • Year 10

The work of artists and designers: elements of art

I can analyse how artists use materials to communicate a theme and experiment with materials to express my own theme.

Lesson 5 of 18
New
New
  • Year 10

The work of artists and designers: elements of art

I can analyse how artists use materials to communicate a theme and experiment with materials to express my own theme.

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

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

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Consider the emotional impact of the colour scheme and how it contributes to the work's mood.
  2. Examine the arrangement of elements within the artwork.
  3. Analyse how the materials and techniques serve the themes or concepts of the work.

Keywords

  • Elements - the elements of art are the basic parts used to make artwork.

  • Analyse - to look closely at the different parts of an artwork

  • Theme - the main idea or message that an artwork communicates

Common misconception

The material an artist uses doesn’t matter as long as the subject or idea is strong.

The choice of materials greatly affects how an artwork looks, feels and communicates meaning. Materials can add texture, symbolism and emotional impact that deepen the viewer’s understanding.


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

Do not let students melt plastic when experimenting with it during this lesson as it could rlease toxic fumes.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pen, paper or other methods of recording artist analysis, plastic (bags, bubble wrap, packaging), art materials for students to explore in combination with the plastic.

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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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
How can an artist’s choice of medium affect the meaning or impact of their work?

It determines how long the artwork takes to make, but not what it communicates.
It has no real effect, only the subject matter matters.
Correct answer: It can strengthen the theme by adding symbolic, emotional, or sensory layers.

Q2.
What are materials in art?

The colours an artist chooses for their painting
The ideas and emotions behind an artwork
Correct answer: The physical substances an artwork is made from, like paint, clay, or fabric

Q3.
What makes a primary material effective in an artwork?

It is easy to clean and store
Correct answer: It helps communicate the artist’s message or theme clearly
It costs less than other materials

Q4.
How can an artist use materials to express symbolic or cultural meaning in their work?

Correct answer: By using materials that hold personal, historical, or cultural significance
By using the same materials as other artists for consistency
By choosing materials that are cheap and widely available

Q5.
Why is clay an important material with cultural significance in many societies?

Because it is the easiest material to shape and fire
Correct answer: Because it has been traditionally used for rituals in many cultures
Because it always stays soft and can be reshaped indefinitely

Q6.
How can an artist’s emotional connection to their chosen medium affect their creativity?

It makes no difference as long as the materials are expensive.
It has no effect; creativity depends only on skill.
Correct answer: It can enhance creativity by inspiring deeper expression and experimentation.

Additional material

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