A guide to mind-mapping for art students. Presented as a mind-map (naturally!) it is intended to be something that students might have to hand whilst working on this task, and refer to as they progress. The PDF download is printable at A3 or A4, so could be used as a poster or handout for the class. Also provided are some student examples for discussion and inspiration.

This is a four-page resource on Anna Atkins. You can photocopy back to back and laminate for repeated use. I have included three tasks and evaluation questions. Also, source images of shells and plants for students to work from if they do not have objects for primary observation. Can be used as a cover lesson during a relevant project (photograms, natural forms, shape…). Also as an extension activity, or as a whole class task. Students are asked to read the information about the artist then answer questions, then show their visual understanding by making first a tonal shell drawing, then a cut paper leaf or plant. The evaluation questions ask them to compare. A great lesson for introducing a pioneering woman artist and scientist whose work is inspiring for young people.

A two page PDF resource (can be photocopied back to back and laminated for repeated use) on the artist Gustav Klimt. Can be used as a sub lesson during a relevant project (colour, pattern, abstraction, portraiture, Modern Art …), an extension activity, independent study, or as a whole class task. Students are asked to read the information about the artist then answer questions, then show their visual understanding through the identification of motifs in the work. They then create their own practical response to Klimt’s art. The lesson requires minimal materials and can be carried out in a non-specialist classroom. A great introduction to an important 20th century artist whose work is inspiring and engaging for young people.

A fun art ‘formal elements’ word search PDF file with 17 key terms to find including colour line shape tone form texture space design balance contrast harmony pattern size repetition These print well at A5 (two to an A4 sheet) so are an economical, fun way to embed student learning on literacy, extending vocabulary on any scheme of work. Also a quote from Charles Eames on design. Great for a lesson starter, plenary, cover, literacy, homework, extension or use a word search to maintain focus during tidy up time!

A three page printable worksheet resource on Wassily Kandinsky. Can be used as a cover lesson during a relevant project (Abstraction, Expressionism, colour, landscape…), an extension activity, or as a whole class task. Students are asked to read the information about the artist then answer questions then create their own abstracted landscape from the source images. Also included are 4 landscape images printed very lightly that students can work on top of, if a differentiated activity is required. Designed to be easy to deploy and requires no specialist materials or knowledge. A fantastic resource to have on hand and relevant to many projects!

A one-off lesson with full powerpoint and instructions for creating fantastic bottle flowers from waste plastic bottles. The lesson is designed with limited materials (scissors, POSCA marker pens and waste plastic bottles which the students bring in) so that it is not necessary to be in a specialist classroom. Full context to Earth Day and the environmental background to reducing plastic waste is included in the lesson, with a quick quiz and link to a video. A template for designing is included as well as 2 slides of source material to inspire students. In addition there is an extension task for any early-finishers and a differentiated version of the written plenary. A great lesson which students really enjoy, with an important message. A bonus is that the resulting 'bottle blooms' make a brilliant display!

A three page resource on Hilma af Klint (can be photocopied back to back and laminated for repeated use). Vilma af Klint is a fantastic early abstract artist who produced inspiring geometric paintings. Can be used as a cover lesson during a relevant project (abstraction, colour, natural forms, geometry, shape…), an extension activity, home or independent learning, or as a whole class task. Students are asked to read the information about the artist then answer questions, then show their visual understanding by producing a composition of their own. A fantastic resource an inspirational female artist!

A two page PDF resource (can be photocopied back to back and laminated for repeated use) on the artist Vincent Van Gogh. Can be used as a cover lesson during a relevant project (drawing, still life, portraiture, shoes…), an extension activity, independent study, or as a whole class task. Students are asked to read the information about the artist then answer questions, then show their visual understanding by creating their own shoe drawing. There are also links to other artists (Lisa Milroy and Tracey Emin) to develop ideas and further investigation. The lesson requires minimal materials (paper and pencils) and can be carried out in a non-specialist classroom. A great introduction to an important artist whose work is inspiring and engaging for young people.

This presentation takes you through a range of examples of how perspective systems have been used in Art from pre-Renaissance to Cubism and gives short accompanying texts to explain the developments. Originally devised for a year 9 class, this presentation has been useful in giving context to KS4 and 5 classes developing drawing and painting skills and also as a way of introducing Cubism in a meaningful way. With a good range of images to illustrate different forms of perspective, the presentation is useful for generating discussion and improving art historical understanding.

A four page printable worksheet resource on Paul Klee. Can be used as a cover lesson during a relevant project (Abstraction, Expressionism, colour, landscape…), an extension activity, or as a whole class task. Students are asked to read the information about the artist then answer questions then create their own abstracted landscape from the source images. Also included are source images of Klee’s work, black and white landscape photographs to work from and a Paul Klee word search. Designed to be easy to deploy and requires no specialist materials or knowledge. A fantastic resource to have on hand and relevant to many projects!

This mind-map on the theme of POWER provides links to over 50 artists from varied times and places. Organised with sub-themes, this resource is a great way of supporting students individual investigations and introducing them to diverse approaches to the theme. You can print as an A3 poster or an A4 handout, or use the pdf document on screen so that the artists names hyperlink to relevant websites to develop research further.

This lesson starts with a little scientific introduction on snowflakes and then gives step by step instructions on how to cut beautiful hexagonal paper snowflakes (much better than the doily type you may have seen before!). There are example templates you can print out to help with differentiation. Students are blown away by what they’ve made and the resulting flakes can be displayed on black sugar paper or hung in the classroom (try darkening the room and using a torch to explore the shadows…). Perfect for a one-off lesson in science, design or art, or a tutor group session - without too many fiddly resources!

This mind-map on the theme of LOCK provides links to over 40 artists from varied times and places. Organised with sub-themes, this resource is a great way of supporting student’s individual investigations and introducing them to diverse approaches to the theme. You can print as an A3 poster or an A4 handout, or use the pdf document on screen so that the artists names hyperlink to relevant websites to develop research further. You may also be interested in this ‘week by week’ art exam handout. And this Art GCSE Project Checklist for student self-assessment.

A great resource to support student in becoming more independent and taking responsibility for their projects. 23 pages which can be photocopied into a booklet, giving students all they need to understand the structure of the course, assessment and asking questions to help improve their independence. The booklet is created in Powerpoint so can be easily adapted to suit your own course structure and marking. And slide can be projected onto a white board as part of class teaching. Students record feedback into the booklet so they have their own record of what they need to do to develop. I have found that having students write this in themselves (copying from notes stapled into their sketchbooks) has really helped them to take ownership of the guidance - not just read and forget. Teachers can use the booklet to complete interim assessment of coursework units and ask students to do their own self assessments on the sheets included. The booklet provides a comprehensive approach to assessment of the GCSE course and students tend to treat this more seriously as they can see from the outset of the course how and when they will be assessed and the impact this will have on their eventual grade.

This unit of work was designed for KS3 and includes background information on tulips as a Turkish cultural symbol. The project develops through drawing and painting lessons, on to design, and then collage work leading to the final lessons building a relief tile in clay, and then glazing. Each lesson has a powerpoint presentation and there are accompanying worksheets, starters and extension tasks as necessary. In all, the unit covers 7 lessons including a final one on evaluation. This is a fairly speedy project and could easily be extended to cover more lessons. Initial primary observation lessons use real tulips to draw from, though this could be adapted to work from secondary imagery. The lessons feature elements on design, pattern and symmetry. This project has been really successful in providing for a range of skills and students have produced results that they are very proud of!

A 12 lesson unit of work with a powerpoint for each lesson with additional worksheets and differentiated print outs. The project is aimed at KS3 students and includes some great cross-curricular elements (shapes and geometry, geography and music). Students learn about the fantastic art of the Ndebele people (from Southern Africa) and create their own individual modroc version including their own personal designs. Using acrylic paint, they decorate the houses in the characteristic Ndebele style (an excellent book with images of this art form: ). Students really enjoy the 3d making in this project, which covers a number of skills, as well as the bright colours that are characteristic of this style.

Looking for a great way to start off your GCSE art project? These seven mind-maps cover the themes: Portrait, Entwined, Fragments, Boundaries Borders and Edges, Transport, Places and Spaces, Celebration. A fantastic resource to support student exploration; combining artists and ideas with imagery to provoke initial investigations. You can print and display or handout the sheets, or share the document with students on the computer and they can click on the artist names/images to link directly to examples of relevant work on the internet. Saves time all round!! The sheets cover a range of artists and designers from different time periods, working in different media…

Looking for a great way to start off your GCSE art project? These seven mind-maps cover the themes: Portrait, Curved and Straight, Fragments, Integrate, Image and Word, Places and Spaces, Celebration. A fantastic resource to support student exploration; combining artists and ideas with imagery to provoke initial investigations. You can print and display or handout the sheets, or share the document with students on the computer and they can click on the artist names/images to link directly to examples of relevant work on the internet. Saves time all round!! The sheets cover a range of artists and designers from different time periods, working in different media…