Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 17/01/2026
Subject: Art and Design
Lesson Topic: respond to a theme or given starting point
Learning Objective/s:
  • Analyse a brief to identify key themes, constraints, and formulate a personal interpretation.
  • Plan and experiment through thumbnail sketches, colour trials, and surface preparation.
  • Create a finished painting that demonstrates technical skill, effective layering, and texture.
  • Evaluate the artwork against the brief and reflect on technical and creative decisions.
Materials Needed:
  • Acrylic, oil, or watercolour paints (as chosen for the brief).
  • Canvas, primed board or heavyweight paper.
  • Brushes, palette knives, sponges.
  • Gesso, solvents, and appropriate varnish.
  • Sketchbooks, pencils, erasers for thumbnail studies.
  • Digital device or printed images for mood‑board/reference collection.
  • Process journal or worksheet for recording observations.
 Introduction:
Begin with a striking example of a painting that clearly responds to a theme, prompting discussion of how artists interpret briefs. Review students’ prior knowledge of planning a painting and the importance of research. State today’s success criteria: analyse the brief, produce thumbnail sketches, and start an underpainting.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students list the key elements of a supplied theme on sticky notes.
  2. Brief analysis (10'): Whole‑class discussion of constraints and personal interpretation.
  3. Thumbnail sketching (15'): Create 5–8 quick studies; share one with a partner for feedback.
  4. Colour trial (10'): Test palette on scrap paper and record values in the process journal.
  5. Underpainting demonstration (15'): Teacher models a monochrome underpainting; students begin their own on prepared support.
  6. Reflection & check (5'): Exit ticket – students note the next step they will take in their painting.
Conclusion:
Recap how the underpainting establishes tonal foundation and how thumbnails guided composition decisions. Students complete an exit ticket identifying one adjustment for the next session. Homework: finish the underpainting, photograph the progress, and bring the image for peer review.