Deepening the understanding of the principles of painting
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify and apply the principles of painting in a personal and analytical context.
Key learning points
- The elements and principles of art are used by artists to convey ideas, emotions, and narratives.
- Artists make choices deliberately by select principles rather than using them randomly.
- Reflecting improves practice as refining decisions can lead to creating stronger, more purposeful outcomes.
Keywords
Elements of art - the components the artist uses to create an artwork
Principles of art - the means by which artists organise the components of an artwork to create a unique work that communicates their vision and intentions
Common misconception
The elements and principles of art are the same thing.
Remind pupils that the core principles are: balance, movement, rhythm, pattern, contrast, unity, emphasis. The elements are the components that artists use to create an artwork.
Teacher tip
Be explicit about the difference between elements and principles: “The elements are the building blocks. The principles are how we arrange those blocks.” You could model with examples: Take a single element (e.g. line) and show how artists apply it with different principles.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false? The elements of art are the building blocks, while the principles of art are how those blocks are arranged.
Q2.Which of these is a principle of painting?
Q3.What does the principle of contrast do in a painting?
Q4.True or false? Radial balance is when equal parts radiate out from the centre of a design.
Q5.Which principle is used when an artist repeats shapes, colours, or lines across a painting?
Q6.What does the principle of unity mean in painting?
To help you plan your 11 art and design lesson on: Deepening the understanding of the principles of painting, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 art and design lesson on: Deepening the understanding of the principles of painting, 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.