Selecting inspirational visual source material
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can respond to different sources and share my ideas to identify themes and connections.
Key learning points
- Sources in art can be found in multiple places.
- A variety of sources such as art pieces, photographs, or patterns can inspire artists in different ways.
- Artists use different methods to map thoughts and concepts visually, aiding the development of themes and projects.
- We can document in different ways when responding to sources.
Keywords
Source - the materials, references, or inspirations that artists research for their work
Theme - the specific subject or content that the artwork focuses on
Respond - to react or engage with something, forming an interpretation or personal reaction based on it
Common misconception
Artists always have a fixed idea before they start their work.
Many artists gather inspiration as they go. Collecting a wide range of visual sources lets ideas evolve naturally rather than sticking to a single idea.
Teacher tip
Prepare artist images for pupil discussion.
Equipment
Access to computers or digital devices for research (optional), sticky notes (optional) pens and paper (optional)
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does the word 'source' refer to in art?
Q2.What is the correct definition of a theme?
Q3.What is the definition of the word 'technique' in art?
Q4.Match these terms with the correct definition
straight, curved, jagged, smooth, hard, soft, light, dark, thick, thin
a design in which different elements are repeated
an element of art that is two-dimensional, or flat
how something feels or looks like it would feel if you touched it
Q5.What does 'critical understanding' mean in art?
Q6.Fill the gap: Artists that inspire you do not have to be they can be local or have work that is shown in your community.
To help you plan your 10 art and design lesson on: Selecting inspirational visual source material, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 art and design lesson on: Selecting inspirational visual source material, 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 Foundation workshops: selecting primary sources and recording observations unit, dive into the full secondary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.