Creating a surface, armature, background: preparing your personal response
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can select an appropriate surface which aligns with my concept
Key learning points
- Clarify the theme or concept you want to explore. This could be personal experiences, social issues or emotions.
- Gather inspiration from various sources, such as existing artworks, literature, nature, or personal experiences.
- Decide on the material for your surface, including canvas, wood, paper, or textiles, to align with your concept
Keywords
Concept - the underlying idea, message, or theme
Intention - the purpose behind your creative choices
Surface - the base or foundation you work on
Common misconception
Only paper and canvas are proper or professional surfaces for making art
Artists have long worked on a wide range of surfaces, including wood, metal, glass, fabric, cardboard, plastic, ceramics, and more. The surface is a creative choice, not a limitation.
Teacher tip
Encourage pupils to test multiple surfaces early in the process, even in small sample form before committing to one. This helps them understand how surface impacts technique and expression, and gives them the confidence to make intentional, informed choices that align with their concept and theme.
Equipment
Paint, paper, cardboard, fabric, (metal, wood and glass/plexiglass if possible), thread, needles, scissors, pens, oil pastels.
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 the term given to trying out new ideas, materials or techniques?
Q2.What are the materials and tools used to create artwork called?
Q3.Photographs and drawings are a strong starting point for idea because they provide original material.
Q4.True or false? 'A collage can only be made from cut-up paper.'
Q5.What is the position or angle from which the photographer takes the photo called?
Q6.What is the main focus of a photograph called?
To help you plan your 10 art and design lesson on: Creating a surface, armature, background: preparing your personal response, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 art and design lesson on: Creating a surface, armature, background: preparing your personal response, 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.