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Important update
This Year 1 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 1, Painting and mixed media: Colour splash 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:
- Hold a brush in a comfortable, functional grip.
- Name at least two colours correctly and use colours with increasing confidence.
- Make two to three different marks with some control.
- Use more than one brush confidently and describe the differences between marks made with large and small brushes.
- Clean brushes between colours and wipe or blot excess water before painting.
- Use a sketchbook to explore ideas, plan and place marks with purpose.
- Produce a painting with smooth areas of colour and clearly separated colour blocks.
- Choose appropriate brushes for different tasks, make consistent, repeated marks inspired by the artists studied and talk confidently about their choices.
Suggested prior learning
Painting and mixed media: Paint my world
Get started
Painting in the Primary classroom
Lessons
Lesson 1: Paint and brush control
Lesson 2: Exploring brushes
Lesson 3: Controlling paint
Lesson 4: Planning a painting
Lesson 5: Final piece
Key skills
Using sketchbooks
- Using sketchbooks to explore
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Key knowledge
Making skills
To know:
- That there
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Key vocabulary
bristles (Y1)
brush (Y1)
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Related content
Unit resources
Knowledge organiser – Art and design Y1: Painting: Paint and brush control
Aimed at pupils, two pages providing key facts and definitions from the unit 'Paint and brush control'.
Vocabulary display – Painting – paint and brush control
A display copy of the key vocabulary for Year 1 painting.
Subject resources
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Cross-curricular opportunities
English
Spoken language
Pupils should be taught to:
- Listen and respond appropriately to adults and their peers.
- Ask relevant questions to extend their understanding and knowledge.
- Articulate and justify answers, arguments and opinions.
See