This Art and design scheme of work video shows pupils how to create painted plate designs inspired by Clarice Cliff’s circle tree artwork.

Children will begin by using bright paints and a medium brush to add coloured circles to the plate. The video demonstrates how to mix red and yellow to make orange, and reminds children to keep the circles roughly the same size for a balanced design. Looking back at the original circle tree artwork, children will see how a blue stripe helps other colours stand out. Pupils are encouraged to add more colours to their plate. To complete the tree design, the video shows how to pour a small amount of paint onto the paper and use a straw to blow the paint outwards, creating the effect of a tree trunk and branches.

This activity gives children a chance to explore colour mixing and composition in a creative way.

This video is part of Kapow Primary’s Year 1 Colour splash unit.

See more of our Year 1 Art and design scheme of work.

Art and design, Year 1, Painting and mixed media: Colour splash, Lesson 5: Clarice Cliff plates.