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Lesson 6 of 7
  • Year 11

Mixed media sculptures: combining diverse materials and techniques

I can choose and combine materials to make a mixed media sculpture that is expressive, integrated and experimental.

Lesson 6 of 7
New
New
  • Year 11

Mixed media sculptures: combining diverse materials and techniques

I can choose and combine materials to make a mixed media sculpture that is expressive, integrated and experimental.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The choice of materials becomes part of the message; each one can evoke different emotions, histories, or associations.
  2. Successful mixed media sculpture depends on understanding how to physically and visually integrate different materials.
  3. Mixed media expands creative boundaries, encouraging experimentation, recycled elements, or unconventional techniques.

Keywords

  • Integration - combining materials so they work visually and physically

  • Experimentation - testing new techniques, found objects, or recycled elements

Common misconception

Mixed media just means throwing lots of materials together.

Each material should have a purpose — it must add meaning or structure, not just make it look busy.


To help you plan your year 11 art and design lesson on: Mixed media sculptures: combining diverse materials and techniques, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Encourage students to think about why they use each material. Test small ideas first, then build bigger so their sculpture feels intentional and connected.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Clay, wire, card, wood, fabric, paper, string, glue/PVA, glue gun, tape, pliers, scissors, knives, mats, recycled/found/natural objects, sketchbooks.

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

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What sculpting technique pours a material into a mould?

modelling
Correct answer: casting
assemblage
carving

Q2.
What is the first step of the casting process called?

finish
mould
Correct answer: model
cast

Q3.
Where might sanding and polishing be used in the casting process?

modelling
casting
moulding
Correct answer: finishing

Q4.
Order these steps for making a mould.

1 - make a model
2 - place in a box
3 - pour the material
4 - remove the model

Q5.
Which artist created ‘Cumulous Brand, Bill’ which is decorated with branded tattoos.

Correct answer: Dietrich Wegner
Simone Leigh
Iris Bodemer

Q6.
What are multiple copies of a sculpture from one mould called?

Correct Answer: editions, edition, an edition

Additional material

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