Painting: brushwork: techniques for texture and precision
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use brushwork to dramatically affect the surface quality and expressive power of my painting.
Key learning points
- Painters us a range of brushwork techniques including: dry brush, impasto feathering and stipping.
- Brush choice and handling affect texture and precision.
- Brushwork effects contribute to mood, form, and surface.
Keywords
Dry brush - using very little paint on a dry brush to create rough, textured marks
Impasto - a technique where thick paint is applied to create a textured, 3D effect
Feathering - a painting technique which creates smooth transitions between two colours or tones, by blending
Stippling - involves dabbing a brush or sponge to apply small dots of paint
Common misconception
Pupils may think that only brushes are used in painting.
Through modelling and explanation - remind pupils that there are a range of painting tools and materials that can be used to apply paint to a surface.
Teacher tip
Model the process step by step before asking students to try it themselves. Encourage experimentation with tools and techniques, but keep linking back to the learning outcome so students stay focused on why they are using a method, not just how.
Equipment
A range of brushes, palette knives, sponges, or improvised tools such as card and sticks; acrylic paints in a variety of colours; mixing palettes or trays; water pots; sketchbooks or paper towels.
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the technique to the description:
where thick paint is applied to create a textured, 3D effect
a painting method that blends colours to create smooth transitions
involves dabbing a brush or sponge to apply small dots of paint
Q2.True or false? There is only one type of paint and one way to apply it.
Q3.What does the term "support" mean in painting?
Q4.Order the steps for creating an Impasto painting:
Q5.True or false? Old, blunt, or split brushes create interesting textures.
Q6.Which of the following best describes a controlled painting technique?
To help you plan your 11 art and design lesson on: Painting: brushwork: techniques for texture and precision, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 art and design lesson on: Painting: brushwork: techniques for texture and precision, 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.