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Please note
This unit has been updated for 2026–2027 to provide a clearer progression of painting skills and knowledge.
The old unit has moved to the Content archive area, where it will remain permanently available.
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
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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
Optional: Lesson 6: Every picture tells a story
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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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
- Sketchbooks or loose paper ×30
- Loose A4 or A3 cartridge paper sheets ×30
- A large roll of drawing paper, wallpaper or A3 sheets As needed
- Paintbrushes ×30
- Paint palette ×30
- Water pots ×15
- Paper towels ×30
- Masking tape
- Sketching pencils ×30
- Colouring pencils ×30
The equipment below is optional
- Various printed images of Alma Thomas’ and Yinka Ilori’s artwork
-
A world map or globe to locate Malaysia
1 -
White wax crayons, preferably chunky
×30 -
A3 or A4 cartridge paper, at least 100 gsm
×30 -
Watercolour paints or transparent inks in at least two colours
×8
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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
Build on the learning
Painting and mixed media: Colour mixing
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