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Lesson 5 of 7
  • Year 11

Exploring mediums: acrylics, oils watercolours and beyond

I can apply a range of techniques to explore paint types, and experiment with mixed media.

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View unit
Lesson 5 of 7
New
New
  • Year 11

Exploring mediums: acrylics, oils watercolours and beyond

I can apply a range of techniques to explore paint types, and experiment with mixed media.

Download all

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.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Different paints have unique properties and behaviours that influence how they can be used.
  2. How you apply paint — through techniques like blending, layering, or washes, changes the final effect of the painting.
  3. Different paint types can be blended and layered in different ways to create tone and texture.
  4. Artists can combine and layer different materials and media to create new effects.

Keywords

  • Blending - mixing colours or shades together smoothly

  • Opacity - controls how transparent or solid an object appears

  • Texture - the feel or appearance of a surface

  • Layer / layering - materials placed on top of one another

Common misconception

Watercolours are opaque and used for solid blocks of colour.

Watercolours are actually transparent and unpredictable, with the paper providing the lightest value.


To help you plan your year 11 art and design lesson on: Exploring mediums: acrylics, oils watercolours and beyond, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

For this lesson, the outcome could include comparative swatches, small test compositions, and reflective sketchbook notes. Encourage students to keep their brushes clean throughout to not only prevent muddy colours but also allow them to see the true qualities of acrylics, oils, and watercolours.
Teacher tip

Equipment

A range of brushes, palette knives, sponges; acrylic paints, oil paint and watercolour in a variety of colours; mixing palettes or trays; water pots; masking tape, sketchbooks or paper towels.

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - chemicals

Supervision

Adult supervision required

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.
Which of these statements about acrylic paint is correct?

It dries very slowly and is best for blending.
Correct answer: It is plastic-based, fast-drying and versatile.
It is always transparent like watercolour.
It cannot be used in thick layers.

Q2.
Why are oil paints often used for blending and depth?

they are water-based and dry instantly
they are always transparent
Correct answer: they dry slowly, allowing for smooth tonal shifts
they can only be used in thin washes

Q3.
What makes watercolours different from acrylics and oils?

they are thick and opaque
they are always used on canvas
Correct answer: they are transparent, letting the paper show through
they cannot be layered

Q4.
True or false? Acrylic paint and solvents from oil painting should always be washed down the sink.

Correct Answer: False, Incorrect, no

Q5.
How can mixing different media (like acrylic, ink, and collage) improve an artwork?

Correct answer: It adds depth, contrast, and expressive surfaces.
It always makes the work neater.
It reduces the need for planning.
It makes the painting dry instantly.

Q6.
How does the surface (support) you work on affect paint behaviour?

surfaces make no difference at all
Correct answer: rough surfaces add texture; smooth surfaces give even application
smooth surfaces always ruin the paint
paint only works on canvas

Additional material

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