Learning objective
- To apply knowledge of tone and painting techniques to create a still life painting.
Success criteria
- I can mix tints and shades to suit
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National curriculum
Art and design
Pupils should taught
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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 1: Tints and shades to help the children recall key knowledge. Lay out the sketchbooks on the tables, opened to the first page from Lesson 1 showing the gradient of tints and shades. Organise the children into pairs. Challenge them to take turns pointing to a colour in the…
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Adaptive teaching
Pupils needing extra support
- Could refer back to their sketchbook or Knowledge organiser to support understanding of mixing tints and shades.
- Could use a limited palette (one colour plus white and black) to focus on creating clear tints and shades.
- Could simplify their painting by using fewer shadows, highlights and midtones.
Pupils working at greater depth
- Should apply tone with precision, placing highlights and shadows accurately and using a wide range of midtones.
- Should evaluate their work regularly as they paint and make changes based on careful observation.
- Could attempt to use different colours within their shadows, highlights and midtones, for example blues and purples in shadows, yellows and oranges in highlights.
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Assessing progress and understanding
Pupils with a secure understanding can:
- Mix a range of tints
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Vocabulary definitions
-
composition
How objects are arranged in an artwork.
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highlight
The lightest part of an object, where the light hits it most strongly.
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In this unit
Maintained by: Kapow Primary team
Last update: 26th June, 2026
Lesson 4: Composition
Exploring still life and the elements of effective composition to plan a finished still life...
Assessment – Art Y4: Painting – Coming soon
Lesson 2: Three dimensions
Exploring how varying tone can create the illusion of form, making an object look three-dimensional.
Lesson 1: Tints and shades
Developing understanding of colour theory by mixing tints and shades.
