Analysing the work of artists and designers: materials and techniques
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify the significance of primary materials in art
Key learning points
- An artist's selection of materials used in an artwork, contribute to the overall effect and meaning of the work
- Different materials have various qualities and textures
- 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.
Teacher tip
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.
Equipment
Oil/chalk pastels, paint, brushes, wire, clay, threads and yarns, modroc, paper
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a storyboard?
Q2.What is annotation in art?
Q3.What does it mean to present a concept in art?
Q4.Which of the following are ways you can annotate your artwork?
Q5.What is digital annotation?
Q6.Annotation is important in art because it shows your , choices, and development
To help you plan your 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...
To help you plan your 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.
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 4 art and design lessons from the First sustained project: working from a theme unit, dive into the full secondary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.