The work of artists and designers: principles of art
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse how the principles of art and choices made by the artist impact the viewer.
Key learning points
- Analysing the principles of art in artworks provides a framework for understanding how visual elements are organised
- Gain a deeper understanding of the artist's creative choices and the impact of those choices on the viewer.
Keywords
Principles of art - the ways in which artists organise visual elements to create impact
Composition - the arrangement of visual elements in an artwork to create a unified and effective whole
Choices - the deliberate decisions an artist makes
Common misconception
Balance means everything must be perfectly symmetrical.
Balance can be symmetrical, but it can also be asymmetrical or radial. Asymmetrical balance uses different elements on each side to create visual stability.
Teacher tip
Enable pupils to record their artist analysis in the most appropriate way for them whether that's written, verbal or digital.
Equipment
Pen, pencil sketchbook or paper, equipment for recording verbally, if required.
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does composition refer to in visual art?
Q2.Which question is most helpful when analysing the mood of an artwork?
Q3.What impact do jagged or zigzag lines often have in an artwork?
Q4.If an artist uses personal objects (like clothing or letters) in a mixed-media work, what could that communicate?
Q5.Why might an artist choose to use recycled materials in a sculpture about the environment?
Q6.What might an artist suggest by trapping objects in ice in their artwork?
To help you plan your 10 art and design lesson on: The work of artists and designers: principles of art, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 art and design lesson on: The work of artists and designers: principles of art, 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.