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Lesson 3 of 7
  • Year 11

Mixed-media digital art: combining traditional and digital methods

I can combine traditional and digital methods to create a mixed-media artwork.

Lesson 3 of 7
New
New
  • Year 11

Mixed-media digital art: combining traditional and digital methods

I can combine traditional and digital methods to create a mixed-media artwork.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Traditional and digital methods can be combined in art to create a range of visual outcomes.
  2. Analogue and digital media can be merged effectively by using composition principles.
  3. Textures and surfaces can be used in digital media to create images which look handmade.

Keywords

  • Mixed-media - using more than one artistic medium in a single artwork

  • Layering - placing different visual elements on top of each other to create depth and complexity

  • Composition - the arrangement of visual elements within an artwork

Common misconception

Digital art lacks the creativity or authenticity of traditional methods.

Digital tools expand, rather than replace, creativity. Artists can blend hand-drawn, painted, or textured work into digital layers to achieve unique results.


To help you plan your year 11 art and design lesson on: Mixed-media digital art: combining traditional and digital methods, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage pupils to see digital art as an extension of traditional methods. Remind them to experiment boldly, save versions frequently and reflect on how analogue textures enhance digital compositions.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Sketchbooks, pencils, paints, collage materials. Scanner or camera/phone for digitising work. Computers/laptops with image editing software.

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 does the term "mixed-media" mean in art and design?

Correct answer: Combining different artistic mediums in one artwork
Only using paint and pencils together
A type of social media platform for artists
When an artwork is made from just one single material

Q2.
Match the term to its definition:

Correct Answer:Mixed-media,using more than one artistic medium in a single artwork

using more than one artistic medium in a single artwork

Correct Answer:Layering,placing different visual elements on top of each other

placing different visual elements on top of each other

Correct Answer:Composition,the arrangement of visual elements within an artwork

the arrangement of visual elements within an artwork

Q3.
True or false? Artworks can be scanned or photographed, then imported into digital art software.

Correct Answer: True, Correct

Q4.
What does "layering" allow an artist to do in digital software?

It permanently merges all parts of the artwork so nothing can be changed.
It deletes previous versions of the work automatically.
Correct answer: Creates depth and flexibility by stacking images or textures
It makes the artwork 3D and printable as a sculpture.

Q5.
True or false? Digital art lacks the creativity or authenticity of traditional methods.

Correct Answer: False, Incorrect

Q6.
Which ways could an artist approach experimenting with traditional and digital mixed media processes?

Correct answer: Use Augmented Reality (AR) to overlay digital animation onto a physical artwork.
Correct answer: Printing a digitally made artwork to create a collage.
Correct answer: Printing out a photograph and painting onto it.
Uploading an artwork online without making any changes or combining media.

Additional material

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