This Art and design video introduces Year 4 pupils to the concept of composition and explores how artists arrange objects within a still life. Children learn that the placement of objects can affect how an artwork looks and feels, and that artists make careful decisions about shape, colour, balance and light when creating a composition.

The video encourages pupils to experiment with arranging objects in different ways, considering how contrasting shapes, sizes and colours can create visual interest. Children explore how objects can be grouped, spaced, overlapped or positioned unexpectedly to achieve different effects and create a balanced arrangement.

Pupils also investigate the role of light in a still life composition, observing how moving a light source can change highlights, shadows and tone. Through experimentation and discussion, they begin to understand how artists use composition and lighting to guide the viewer’s attention and create atmosphere.

This video supports Kapow Primary’s Year 4 Painting and mixed media: Light and dark unit and helps children develop the observational and decision-making skills needed to plan and create their own still life paintings.

Explore the accompanying Year 4 Painting and mixed media: Light and dark resources.

• Year 4 Art and design scheme of work.