This is a full drypoint etching GCSE art project. It covers the four AQA assessment objectives and is based on the theme ‘Inside Out’. I have taught this project as a mini project but it could easily be extended or developed. You need some basic equipment: printing ink, perspex (old CD cases work well) I got off cuts from the school DT department. A tool to scratch the perspex (anything with a sharp point works) and a printing press. If you don’t have a printing press, you can easily transfer the image using a wooden spoon or similar. The project uses Leonardo da Vinci’s anatomy drawings as a starting point and asks students to look at his work then respond. I had students do observational drawings from skulls / bones from the science department. I had students work on design sheets for this project but you could easily do the same in sketchbooks. Students create a series of observational drawings then use them, along with pictures of celebrities or inspirational people, to create ‘Inside Out’ portraits which show half a face and half a skull. I have included steps for each stage of the processes, including drawing skulls, and videos (slides 18 and 20 - link is also in the notes) that show students what drypoint etching is and how to do it. The slides show clear instructions for students and I have also incuded examples of student’s work at each stage. Students create colourful, creative prints that they can work independently on once they know the process. Students were asked to create test prints then a series of final colourful prints - I was really impressed with their outcomes!

This is a colour theory scheme of work based on the artist Kandinsky. Students create a series of paintings whilst listening to different styles of music, experimenting with line, shape, composition and colour. I designed this to engage KS3 boys in painting, so the focus is on the use of colour to convey mood, rather than trying to create very precise, small paintings. This is a full scheme of work with starters, entry tasks, peer and self assessments throughout. All of the outcomes are differentiated and there are examples of students work at each stage. There are links to artists, artist research pages and links to the music I chose for students to paint to. I designed it to last a full term, but you can alter it and use it however you wish.

This is an art scheme of work focusing on pattern design. Using MC Escher as a reference and research point, the lessons look first at optical illusions, then at different aspects of pattern design, pattern repeats and colour theory. The lessons are designed for students of all abilities, and draw on any previous work (students select sections of their work, or photographs etc. to work from). I have used this scheme of work with KS3, however it could easily be differentiated to KS2 or 4. It includes full lessons, with Starter / Plenary / Homework activities.

Continuous Line Drawing lesson for a 1 hour Art Class (mine had 25 - 30 students). I have updated this lesson to include more drawing activities and student evaluations Times can be changed for class sizes. I repeated the timed drawings with different materials (ie. pen, pencil, felt tip, ink) and objects used to extend times. I also extended the discussion times if it was a smaller class. The presentation introduces a continuous line drawing artist, has a discussion about their work, introduces keywords and has three drawing activities (continuous line, blind and in pairs - moving paper instead of the pen to draw!) Includes artist examples, teacher examples, different materials / techniques and a plenary. Encourages art-specific language to describe work. You will need some natural forms for students to draw. I chose dried fruit, shells, leaves etc. There is more information about this lesson here.

This is an observational drawing scheme of work to develop Year 7 students’ drawing skills at the start of the year. This scheme of learning looks first at the hyperrealist artist Marcello Barenghi, then students create artist research pages in their sketchbooks and watch YouTube videos of him working. There are teacher notes in the PowerPoint and links to the clips. Students are shown how to draw from direct observation, bringing in wrappers to draw and understanding how to be inspired by an artist. Students learn how to control their pencils properly, and start to use key vocabulary such as shape, proportion, detail and tone. There are starter activities, plenaries and homework tasks all in the presentation. There are also printable resources (in the slides)- I have made it as easy as possible to use! As I teach this to new Y7 students, it is not a long project and students aim for one complete drawing rather than a series. The aim is to have a high quality finished piece. Students love this project as they can watch the YouTube videos and draw their favourite sweet / crisp wrappers! This resource includes starters / plenaries etc for the whole project, with examples of students’ work at each stage.

Use the resource to test your pupils knowledge on keywords and techniques. One half of the pair has the keyword, the other has the example. Mix up the pairs and let pupils choose one, then they have a limited amount of time to find their partner. Pupils must work co-operatively to discuss which technique matches the correct keyword. Good for getting pupils into small groups or pairs and also tests their knowledge of techniques. I have used as a quick plenary or starter. Keywords included are: Tone, Linear, Continuous Line, Mark-Making, Pattern, Positive & Negative

A comprehensive list of LGBTQIA+ artists from around the world, from painters, to photographers, sculptors and animators who identify as LGBTQIA+ This pdf shows over 60 artists identifying as LGBTQIA+. The aim is to celebrate their work, their lives and share their artwork with our students. The pdf has a picture of the artist’s work, their name and a direct link to the artist’s website: ideal for sharing with your students online or printing out for lessons. There is a QR code that students can scan if the document is printed out for them. The pdf has 6 pages with the artists listed clearly and in alphabetical order.

There are six Grade 9 full art project examples on the presentation, including sheets of student’s secondary and primary research and artist research. I have included all of the student’s observational / working drawings, development work, experimentation, plans and final pieces. I have added close up images of the Grade 9 observational drawing work so you can use the presentation to show your own students if you wish. I have chosen very different exam projects so you can see a full range of techniques and approaches to the different exam questions. The projects are a mix of coursework and the externally set exam by AQA. I have added titles to each of the slides in ‘student speak’ so your students can clearly see examples of what each stage of a Grade 9 art project looks like. All of the annotations should be legible too. I have included photographs of all of the final pieces completed in the 10 hour exam / controlled assessment. As well as the final pieces, I have included close up images so you can clearly see the details and quality of the work. In total, there are 97 slides with examples of Grade 9 GCSE art projects.

10 wonderful, inspirational quotes from world famous artists. All with a unique art-textured background, ideal for decorating your classroom. Good for encouraging hard work and effort rather than talent: “I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.” Vincent van Gogh “Creativity takes courage.” Henri Matisse “They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.” Andy Warhol “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Pablo Picasso “Great art picks up where nature ends.” Marc Chagall “The job of the artist is always to deepen the mystery.” Francis Bacon “To create one’s own world takes courage.” Georgia O’Keeffe “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” Edgar Degas “Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never reach it.” Salvador Dali “If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn’t seem so wonderful at all.” Michelangelo Simply print out and stick up, these are designed at A4 size but you could size them up to A3.

A wall display in size A3 and A4 for the Rule of Thirds in photography. Explains the rule of thirds in 3 simple steps, with an example. Also includes a question about how the rule of thirds was achieved in the example. Great for the photography classroom, easy to refer to and in a clear, simple format. Print out the poster and use in your classroom, give pupils time to read and understand the steps, then try themselves. Encourages pupils to use the rule of thirds when editing their work too.