Natural forms in Fine Art
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can review the range of ways artists have been inspired by natural forms in art.
Key learning points
- The inherent beauty of natural forms provides artists with endless inspiration.
- The diversity of colours, textures, and shapes found in nature can lead to visually striking works of art.
- Natural forms often use flowing, asymmetrical elements that contrast geometric rigidity, enabling dynamic compositions.
Keywords
Natural forms - shapes, patterns, and structures found in the natural world (e.g. shells, plants, bones)
Asymmetry - a lack of symmetry; when two sides of something are not identical but still balanced visually
Common misconception
Natural forms are always perfectly symmetrical, like leaves or flowers.
While some natural forms show symmetry, most have irregular, flowing shapes. Even symmetrical forms often have variations, this is part of what makes nature interesting to artists.
Teacher tip
Greater contextual information on the artists' work can be found in the additional materials. You may wish to alter the imagery to better fit your project themes.
Equipment
Access to the internet or a library of art books. Sketchbook or paper for recording ideas, pencils, pens.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Why do artists choose everyday objects for still life?
Q2.Which of these statements about visual deconstruction is NOT true?
Q3.Match the artist with their technique.
uses personal clothing to evoke memories
explores themes of history and power
creates surreal compositions with vibrant colours
combines food and packaging in art
Q4.Objects can signify meanings, allowing artists to convey complex themes.
Q5.Artists can use objects that hold significance to resonate emotionally.
Q6.Match the object with its significance.
represents life’s brevity
symbolise knowledge and learning
depicts everyday life
To help you plan your 10 art and design lesson on: Natural forms in Fine Art, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 art and design lesson on: Natural forms in Fine Art, 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 Themes within Fine Art unit, dive into the full secondary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.