Learning objective
- To experiment with different ways of creating tone using paint.
Success criteria
- I can discuss how artists use paint to
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National curriculum
Art and design
Pupils should be
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Cross-curricular links
None.
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Before the lesson
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Lesson plan
Recap and recall
This activity revisits learning from Lesson 2: Three dimensions to help the children recall key knowledge. Play the video Pupil video: Changing light. Ask the children to spot the changing shadows, highlights and midtones as the light moves around the object. Ask them to imagine they are pointing a torch at the vase. As the…
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Adaptive teaching
Pupils needing extra support:
- Could use the Knowledge organiser to support their understanding of tints, shades and painting techniques.
- Could use a limited palette of two to three colours and practise creating light and dark tones using one colour before applying them to their artwork.
- Could be provided with a simpler-shaped object or photograph to work from.
Pupils working at greater depth:
- Should confidently explain their process using accurate vocabulary.
- Could explore using more than one colour to represent light and shadow (e.g. experiment with yellow, blue or green to show a highlight).
- Could explain why particular techniques or colour choices were selected (e.g. “I’ve chosen a light yellow tint here to show the highlight because it makes the object look more 3D”).
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Assessing progress and understanding
Pupils with secure understanding can:
- Discuss how artists use paint in different ways
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Vocabulary definitions
-
blend (Y3)
Mix colours smoothly together so there are no sharp lines between them.
-
impasto
A technique where paint is applied thickly to make a textured surface.
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In this unit
Maintained by: Kapow Primary team
Last update: 26th June, 2026
Lesson 5: Still life
Drawing on all the skills they have studied this unit, painting a still life painting...
Lesson 1: Tints and shades
Developing understanding of colour theory by mixing tints and shades.
Lesson 2: Three dimensions
Exploring how varying tone can create the illusion of form, making an object look three-dimensional.
