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An overview of the knowledge and skills covered in the unit
This Art and design teacher video provides an overview of the unit, showing how pupils will explore identity through portraiture before developing their own mixed-media self-portraits. It explores how artists, including Frida Kahlo and Chila Kumari Singh Burman, use symbolism, imagery and words to communicate aspects of identity. The video also deepens teachers’ understanding of artistic intent by exploring how artists make choices to communicate ideas and meaning through their work.
The video provides practical guidance on teaching expressive painting and painterly printmaking, including how colour and brushmarks can affect how a portrait feels and how printmaking can add depth and interest. It explores how sketchbooks are used to record ideas, revisit experiments and refine artistic choices before pupils purposefully select and combine techniques for their final mixed-media self-portrait. Throughout, the emphasis is on supporting the pupils to experiment, make informed artistic choices and communicate their individual intent through their artwork.
This video is part of Kapow Primary’s Art and design painting videos, which support teachers in developing confidence and subject knowledge as they help children explore artistic processes and communicate their ideas through art.
See more of our Year 5 Art and design scheme of work.
