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Lesson 4 of 9
  • Year 10

Hand rendered working methods: wet media

I can experiment with wet media techniques to create expressive graphic designs that communicate a theme.

Lesson 4 of 9
New
New
  • Year 10

Hand rendered working methods: wet media

I can experiment with wet media techniques to create expressive graphic designs that communicate a theme.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Develop an understanding of the properties and behaviour of wet media by exploring a range of wet media techniques.
  2. Develop control over brush handling and water-to-paint ratios to create different effects.
  3. Create graphic outcomes that communicate moods or themes through wet media techniques.

Keywords

  • Wet media - liquid-based art materials such as ink, watercolour, or gouache used for mark-making

  • Layering - applying one wash of colour over another once dried to create depth and richness

  • Blending - the technique of smoothly merging two or more colours while wet

  • Expressive mark-making - using brushstrokes, splatters, and drips to convey emotion or movement

Common misconception

Wet media must always be fully controlled and neat to look professional.

Expressive, loose, or even accidental marks can be intentional and valued in graphic communication, depending on the project's aims.


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

Demonstrate and encourage fearlessness with wet media - mistakes and spontaneous effects are valuable learning moments. Model how to adapt 'happy accidents' into creative graphic solutions.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Watercolour paints, inks, gouache, paintbrushes (round, flat, fine), brush pens (optional). Water pots, palettes or mixing trays. Watercolour or thick cartridge paper, paper towels. Pencils, erasers.

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

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a logo?

A complex illustration
Correct answer: A symbol made up of text and/or images
A typeface style
A decorative pattern

Q2.
Brand identity refers to the visual elements that create a company's public image, including colours, and fonts.

Correct Answer: Logo, logos

Q3.
Match the typeface with its description.

Correct Answer:Serif,A set of letters with small lines at the ends

A set of letters with small lines at the ends

Correct Answer:Sans-serif,Clean and modern in appearance

Clean and modern in appearance

Correct Answer:Script,Often elegant and decorative

Often elegant and decorative

Correct Answer:Display,Ideal for bold headlines

Ideal for bold headlines

Q4.
Which type of typeface is typically used for a modern, clean look?

Serif
Script
Display
Correct answer: Sans-serif

Q5.
Typography is the style and arrangement of to create meaning and impact.

Correct Answer: letters, text

Q6.
What is one common mistake in logo design?

Correct answer: Using too many colours
Keeping it simple
Choosing a matching typeface
Ensuring readability

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is an example of wet media?

Charcoal
Correct answer: Watercolour
Chalk pastels
Pencil

Q2.
What effect can be achieved by using water to dilute ink or paint?

Hard edges
Bold outlines
Correct answer: Glazes and washes
Stippling

Q3.
Why might an artist layer washes in a painting?

To make colours appear less vibrant
To increase opacity
Correct answer: To build depth and tone
To remove texture

Q4.
Using brushstrokes, splatters, and drips to convey emotion or movement is referred to as __________ mark-making.

Correct Answer: expressive, expression

Q5.
Wet-on-wet is a technique involving...

letting layers dry fully before adding others
painting with only water
Correct answer: adding wet paint onto a wet surface

Q6.
The benefits of layering with wet media includes...

darkening the colours
Correct answer: developing a sense of depth and tone
Correct answer: building a range of mark-making techniques
Correct answer: discovering unintentional visual outcomes

Additional material

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