New
New
Lesson 3 of 9
  • Year 10

Experiment with wet media: inks

I can explore and exploit the creative possibilities of ink by controlling its properties and applying a range of expressive techniques to develop artwork.

Lesson 3 of 9
New
New
  • Year 10

Experiment with wet media: inks

I can explore and exploit the creative possibilities of ink by controlling its properties and applying a range of expressive techniques to develop artwork.

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

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

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

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Inks are excellent for creating precise lines, making them ideal for illustrations, comic art, and detailed drawings.
  2. Inks can be diluted with water to create washes and gradients, adding dimension to artwork.
  3. 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.


To help you plan your year 10 art and design lesson on: Experiment with wet media: inks, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

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.
Teacher tip

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

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

Loading...

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Which word best describes a line that is made up of gaps or dashes?

Correct answer: broken line
continuous line
flowing line
solid line

Q2.
The of a line refers to how thick or thin it is.

Correct Answer: line weight, weight

Q3.
Match each term to its description.

Correct Answer:tone,how light or dark something appears

how light or dark something appears

Correct Answer:pattern,a repeated design using elements

a repeated design using elements

Correct Answer:texture,surface feel, real or suggested

surface feel, real or suggested

Correct Answer:variety,mixing different elements for interest

mixing different elements for interest

Q4.
Which description best defines "visual texture"?

a smooth ink wash
a real rough material stuck on
Correct answer: how a surface looks like it feels
the way a surface actually feels

Q5.
What is hatching?

using dots to create tone
Correct answer: using lines in one direction
using overlapping circles
using smudged ink

Q6.
Cross-hatching is when you draw layers of lines that each other.

Correct Answer: cross, overlap, intersect

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Adding water to ink is called , and it helps to lighten the tone.

Correct Answer: dilution, diluted, dilute

Q2.
Which term describes a smooth blend from dark to light?

blotting
dripping
Correct answer: gradient
precision

Q3.
Match the keywords with their correct definitions.

Correct Answer:wash,light ink made with added water

light ink made with added water

Correct Answer:gradient,a smooth transition in tone

a smooth transition in tone

Correct Answer:precise,careful, clean and exact marks

careful, clean and exact marks

Correct Answer:dilution,mixing ink with water to reduce intensity

mixing ink with water to reduce intensity

Q4.
Why might an artist splatter or drip ink onto paper?

to blend colours
to clean the surface
Correct answer: to create dynamic textures
to fix mistakes

Q5.
Artists can add lines on top of dried, textured ink surfaces to create visual contrast, combining control with spontaneity in the same artwork.

Correct Answer: precise, controlled, clean, neat, detailed

Q6.
Which tool is the most effective for creating fine, controlled and consistent ink lines?

Correct answer: pen nib
sponge
stick
toothbrush

Additional material

Download additional material