I love this painting project because it introduces basic colour theory and you can add a range of different challenges each lesson. By the end of the project students are able to identify and mix paints to correctly have secondary and tertiary colours, and use their knowledge to create unique and vibrant final painted outcomes.
This art project is for Key Stage 3, but in school we teach it in line the the GCSE Art Assessment Objectives: students research an artist (Carolee Clark), they experiment painting with colour and drawing, they research their own ideas (using their own photographs), they design and then make their final piece.
Students start the project by researching artwork by Carolee Clark:
Students should identify the use of colours and patterns, noticing how the cooler colours are used for shadows and warmer colours are highlights. We have students create their own research pages about the artist but they could work in teams/tables to complete analysis sheets or homework etc.
Students then complete a series of tasks to practice mixing tints, shades, secondary and tertiary colours:
This is followed by going through some basic colour schemes such as warm and cool, harmonious and contrasting colours.
Students are given a homework to bring in a photograph of their own that they would like to work with; this is really good for engagement as most students choose a picture of their pet or an animal they love!
You can differentiate this by giving students pictures to work from if their own aren’t great or clear enough to use.
Using their homework, students trace the outline of their animal (I had students up against the windows in the classroom) then start to add the main features (ears, eyes, nose, mouth etc.)
You can set a challenge for more able students to draw out their animal without tracing, but since this wasn’t a drawing project I wanted to get students into painting as soon as possible.
I then introduced the concept of contour lines, demonstrating and explaining to students that they should add lines and shapes to fill any big white spaces on their animal.
Once all the animals are drawn / traced out and students have added contour lines and shapes to fill their drawing, they can start to paint. I had to photocopy all of their drawings onto thicker paper which is a bit time-consuming but worth it to maintain the quality of their work.
To begin painting, students work from their animal photographs and identify the shadows, highlights and midtones. In each section they try to use:
Cool colours = shadows
Warm colours = highlights
Neutral (greens and tertiary greens) = midtones
We used A4 size for the artworks, so the challenge in the practical lessons was to paint accurately. Each lesson I would demonstrate how to paint into the small shapes as accurately as possible, using smaller brushes really helps; in school we use these man-made fine round brushes which are not bad, however I found that the aluminium ferrules come loose quite easily.
If you’ve got the budget (!) something like Windsor and Newton round sable brushes are much better quality.
Students worked on their paintings each lesson, learning and practicing how to mix secondary and tertiary colours. To add more challenge to the painting, we had a rule that students shouldn’t paint the same colour next to each other.
Some of the students struggled with the different challenges: either painting accurately, not having the same colour next to each other or drawing in their contour lines. Some ended up filling their animals with different shapes (rather than following the flow of the outlines):
Any mistakes were used to set targets through self-assessment, peer-assessments etc. so students could work to make improvements each lesson. The last few steps of the project were to add patterns, then outline the main features of their animals.
Again, this step could be differentiated to increase the challenge by asking students to only work with contrasting colours when adding patterns.
I had a lot of students asking if they could take their work home to complete, so I think that’s a good sign that they enjoyed the project! They worked really hard on them and have created some outstanding work!
I have this scheme of work available to share, so if you would like it please leave a comment or drop me an email and I can give you access to the PowerPoint.
What do you think of the work? Let me know!
Found on theartteacher.net 🎨
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please can you share resources. thanks
Hi, thanks for your comment – I have just shared the resources with you 🙂
These are so great! My special needs pupils will love doing these activities. Please will you share with me too?Thanks so much for your generosity in sharing.
Hi, you’re welcome, I hope they’re handy for you and your students 🙂
May I have a copy of this too please?
Massive thank you for sharing ideas and resources, it is greatly appreciated.
Best wishes,
Laura
No problem! I have just shared this with you too. Appreciate any shares 🙂
hi this is fantastic. Thank you for making it available. Would it be possible to have a copy of the power point.
Hi, I’m glad you like it, and no problem 🙂 I just shared it with you.
I love this. It makes colour theory fun and could be used with any age group. Very doable from home too. Could you please share your resources. Thanks
Thanks, it should be easily adaptable for home learning I think 🙂 I have just shared it with you.
This scheme of work looks great. Thank you so much for sharing. Please could I have a copy?
Thank you so much
No problem, I have just shared it with you 🙂 enjoy
Hi
This is great! Could I please get a copy of the resources? Thank you!
Thanks for your comment – I have just shared it 🙂
I love this idea. Please could I have a copy sent to me?
Thank you so much for sharing.
This is great, please could you share with me ?
Hi, yes of course, I have just sent it! Enjoy 🙂
I love this work and would really like my class to try it. Please could you share with me the scheme of work?
I have just shared it with you, I hope your class enjoy it!
Hi,
Thanks for sharing. Please can I have a copy of the resource?
Many thanks
You’re welcome and yes, I have just shared the project with you 🙂
Hello, would you be able to share this scheme with me please? I’m currently studying my PGCE in art & design and I think this project would really work with the children I’m assigned to. Plus I really want to do it myself!
Hi, I have just shared it with you. Good luck with your PGCE 🙂
Thanks so much.
Lovely project, looks fun!
Please can you share with me?
It is a fun art project, I love teaching it! I have just shared it with you, enjoy 🙂
This looks great please can I access your resources?
Hi, thanks for your comment 🙂 I just shared the full project with you!
Have just found you and the project looks exciting. Would be grateful if you could share it with me please.
Yes, no problem – I have just shared it 🙂 enjoy.
This is exactly what I’m looking for, fantastic work. Would you mind also sharing with me please? Thanks very much!
I have just shared it with you – thanks for your comment 🙂
I have just shared it, I hope it comes in handy!
Hi Is it possible to share this with me? I have had a look through and this would be ideal for my SEN class.
Hi, yes no problem at all – I have just sent it 🙂 thanks.
Hi, love your colour SOW. It would be great for when we return to our practical classrooms after months of bubbles. Could you share it with me. 😀
Hi, thanks for your comment – I just sent you the project. Hope things go well when you’re back in school 🙂
Hello there. A great project, p[lease can you email me the ppt? Many thanks Ellie
Hi, yes of course, I just emailed it to you 🙂
This is outstanding! Could you please share the resource power point presentation?
Thanks for your comment, and yes! I have just sent it to you 🙂
I love this lesson, it would be ideal for my students! Would you be so kind as to share the resource with me please.
Yes of course, I just sent it to you 🙂
Thank you so much, its wonderful! 🙂
No problem 🙂
hello
Please could you share the resources with me and the powerpoint.
Kind regards Sam
Hi, thanks for your comment! Yes, no problem – I just sent it 🙂
Hi, this looks amazing could you share the resources with me and the PowerPoint, kind regards, Holly
Hi, thanks! Yes of course, I have just sent it all to you 🙂
Hi, if you could share this that would be very much appreciated!
Cheers,
Brandon
Hi, yes no problem – I just sent it to you 🙂
Hi this looks like a great project. Can you send me the PPT
Hi, thanks for your comment and yes – I have just shared it 🙂
Hi this looks like a fantastic project, can you please email the powerpoint to me?
Thanks so much in advance
Hi, thanks for your comment and yes – I have just emailed it! Enjoy 🙂
Hi this looks so much fun would you share your ppt with me . thank you
Hi, thanks for your comment! I have just sent it 🙂 enjoy.
I would love a copy of the powerpoint please, looks like a fantastic project for a child I am working with. Thank you
Hi, thanks for your comment – it is a great project! I have just sent it to you 🙂
Hello, thank you for sharing – this looks like a brilliant project. Please could your share your PPT to my email? I’d be very grateful – thank you in advance.
Hi, yes of course – I have just sent it! It’s a great project 🙂
looks lovely, think my children would love to do this
Hi, thanks for your comment. I just shared the presentation, I hope your students enjoy it too!
Hi – I have just came across your site, it is amazing, especially for a DT teacher who is delivering KS3 Art and Design also.
Would you be willing to share the SOW PowerPoints with me?
Thank you so much 🙂
Hi, thanks for your comment! I have just shared it with you, I hope it’s useful for you 🙂
Please may I have a copy? It looks fab
Hi, yes of course – I just shared it 🙂
looks fantastic.I would love the scheme and ppt please, week 3 of teaching art to SEMH students
I just shared it with you – enjoy 🙂
This is absolutely amazing. My students would love to do this. I had them do tonal drawings for several weeks now. I feel bad haha, I need to add a pop of colour in their lives 🙂
Would be ok if you could share the PowerPoint with me?
Many thanks
Hi, yes of course – I just shared it! And tonal drawings are a fundamental – don’t feel bad 😆
Hello! would it be possible to get a copy of this resource please? It looks great! Many thanks
I have just shared it – sorry for the delay 🙂
Hello, this looks great, can I have a copy please
Hi, yes of course! I have just sent it over 🙂
Hi
This looks brilliant, please could you send me a copy?
Thank you!!! 😊
Hi, yes of course – I have just shared it with you 🙂
brilliant scheme of work. I really like the differentiation meaning it is accessible to all. 🙂
Thanks for your comment – I just shared it with you!
It’s a great project! Could I get a copy of the resources??
Thanks!
Hi, yes no problem – I have just sent it to you 🙂
Hi, I absolutely love this scheme of work! Please could I also use the powerpoint you’ve made? Many thanks in advance 🙂 x
Hi, glad you like it! I have just shared it with you – feel free to share some of your student’s work too 🙂
This looks great – are you able to share the PPT please?
Hi, yes of course – I just shared it 🙂 Thanks for your comment!
This looks great! Could I please ask for a copy of the resources? I would love to do this with my students. Thank you!
Hi, yes of course – I just sent them!
This looks great for my KS3 students. I’d love the PowerPoint.
Thank you
Hi, no problem – I just shared it 🙂
Such a great idea – Would love to teach this lesson!
Glad you like it – I have just shared it 🙂
Would love to have access to the PowerPoint these lessons look amazing!
No problem, I have just shared it 🙂
Would be great to use with my young people over the holidays
This is a great resource! Please may i have a copy?
Yes, no problem! I just sent it 🙂
Hi, would I be able to have access to the Powerpoint please? This looks great!
Of course – I just shared it 🙂
Love your website. Would really appreciate a copy of this project! Thanks!
Thanks for your comment! I just shared the presentation 🙂
This project looks perfect. I would love a copy
Hi, no problem – I just shared it 🙂
This is amazing, can you please share the resources
Thanks for your comment! Yes, I just sent it 🙂
Hi, this is a fantastic project. I would love it if you could share the PowerPoint with me.
Thanks so much!
Laura
Hi, yes of course! I just shared it – enjoy.
Hiya. Love this. Please could I get a copy of this and the pop up project. Really loving your stuff!
Glad you like the resources 🙂 I’ve just shared this – which is the pop up project you mean?