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Lesson 4: Composition

Exploring still life and comparing compositions, the children create their own plan for a finished still life painting.
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Still life composition

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Learning objective

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Before the lesson

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Lesson plan

1. Recap and recall

Arrange the children into pairs. Display the Presentation: Gimme five.

Ask the children to recall five different painting techniques that they tried in the previous lesson.

Answers could include dabbing, stippling, pointillism, washes or using different tools such as sponges and fingers.

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Example work

Montem Academy, Slough
Montem Academy, Slough
Montem Academy, Slough
Montem Academy, Slough
Montem Academy, Slough
Montem Academy, Slough
Montem Academy, Slough

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In this unit

Assessment – Art and design Y4: Painting and mixed mediaLesson 1: Tints and shades – Option 1Lesson 1: Tints and shades – Option 2: Christmas themedLesson 2: Three dimensionsLesson 3: Painting techniques
Lesson 4: Composition
Lesson 5: Still life
Created by:
Kapow Primary Team
Kapow Primary Team
Our team comprises experienced classroom teachers who love the foundation subjectsFind out more
Maintained by: Kapow Primary teamLast update: 25 March 2026

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