Experiment with wet media: inks
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explore and exploit the creative possibilities of ink by controlling its properties and applying a range of expressive techniques to develop artwork.
Key learning points
- Inks are excellent for creating precise lines, making them ideal for illustrations, comic art, and detailed drawings.
- Inks can be diluted with water to create washes and gradients, adding dimension to artwork.
- For a more expressive style, splattering or dripping ink or adding bleach can create dynamic textures and effects.
Keywords
Wash - a technique where ink is diluted with water to create lighter values
Dilution - the process of mixing ink with water to lighten its intensity
Gradient - a smooth transition from one shade or colour to another
Precise - lines, marks or details that are clean, exact, and carefully made
Common misconception
Once ink is applied it can't be lightened as it is permanent.
While ink is permanent when dry, it can be diluted with water whilst wet to create lighter values, washes, and gradients.
Teacher tip
Greater contextual information on the artist's work can be found in the additional materials. You may wish to alter the imagery to enhance your own project themes.
Equipment
Inks, brushes (round and flat) and fine brushes for detail, water pots and palettes, paper, bleach (small amount, handled with care and gloves), droppers or toothbrush (for splatter), tissue.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word best describes a line that is made up of gaps or dashes?
Q2.The of a line refers to how thick or thin it is.
Q3.Match each term to its description.
Q4.Which description best defines "visual texture"?
Q5.What is hatching?
Q6.Cross-hatching is when you draw layers of lines that each other.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Adding water to ink is called , and it helps to lighten the tone.
Q2.Which term describes a smooth blend from dark to light?
Q3.Match the keywords with their correct definitions.
Q4.Why might an artist splatter or drip ink onto paper?
Q5.Artists can add lines on top of dried, textured ink surfaces to create visual contrast, combining control with spontaneity in the same artwork.
Q6.Which tool is the most effective for creating fine, controlled and consistent ink lines?
To help you plan your 10 art and design lesson on: Experiment with wet media: inks, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 art and design lesson on: Experiment with wet media: inks, 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 Fine Art unit, dive into the full secondary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.