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Important update
This Year 2 Painting and mixed media unit has been updated for 2026–2027 to provide a clearer progression of painting skills and knowledge.
The current Art, Year 2, Painting and mixed media: Life in colour unit will move to the Content archive area in August 2026, where it will remain permanently available.
Explore the Art and design, Long-term plan for 2026–2027.
Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Name and identify primary and secondary colours.
- Explain that primary colours cannot be created by mixing other colours.
- Recognise and explain that mixing primary colours creates new colours.
- Describe which primary colours mix to create each secondary colour.
- Mix a secondary colour successfully for a purpose.
- Identify how artists use paint to create different effects.
- Use a range of brushstrokes with control.
- Make creative choices that show their own thoughts and ideas.
Suggested prior learning
Painting and mixed media: Learning about paint and brush control
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Teacher video: Early colour theory unit overview
Lessons
Lesson 1: Exploring primary colours
Lesson 2: Primary and secondary colours
Lesson 3: Creating secondary colours for a purpose
Lesson 4: Using paint in different ways
Lesson 5: Applying colour mixing skills
Key skills
Generating ideas
- Beginning
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Key knowledge
Making skills
To know:
- The primary
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Key vocabulary
abstract (Y2)
brushstrokes (Y2)
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Equipment list
Equipment needed across all lessons in this unit.
This list does not include equipment which is usually readily available in the classroom (e.g pencils, A4 paper etc)
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Full equipment list for the subject
Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected
- Large paper ×30
-
Good quality cartridge paper in A3 or sketchbooks/cartridge paper in A3 or A4
×30 - Painting tools: brushes, sponges, rollers, squeegees or old rulers, paper straws ×15
- Poster paint
- Paint palettes ×30
- Scrap paper ×30
- Water pots
- Paper towels
- Table coverings ×8
The equipment below is optional
- Spray bottles with water ×30
- Paper plates
- Magnifying glass ×30
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Related content
Unit resources
Knowledge organiser – Art and design: Y2: Painting: Colour mixing
Aimed at pupils, two pages providing key facts and definitions from the unit ‘Painting: Colour mixing’.
Vocabulary display – Art and design Y2: Painting: Colour mixing
A display version of the unit vocabulary from 'Painting: Colour mixing'.
Subject resources
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Cross-curricular opportunities
RSE and Health Education: Health and wellbeing – General wellbeing
Build on the learning
Painting and mixed media: Prehistoric painting
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