A two page resource (can be photocopied back to back and laminated for repeated use) on Rembrandt van Rijn. This worksheet is focused on his self-portraits and in particular the graphic examples. Can be used as a cover lesson during a relevant project (self portraiture, tone, mark-making…), an extension activity, or as a whole class task. Students are asked to read the information about the artist then answer questions, try mark-making and creating a tonal ladder, then transcribing a detailed copy of one of Rembrandt’s graphic self-portraits. This could be continued into a biro self-portrait lesson or project, or be used as a stand alone resource. Designed to be easy to deploy and requires no additional resources (only black biros and paper). A fantastic resource to have on hand!

A four page resource (can be photocopied back to back and laminated for repeated use) on the artist and designer William Morris. The first two sheets are based on Morris’ work and the last two are botanical watercolours to be used as source material for students own designs. Can be used as a cover lesson during a relevant project (natural forms, flora, textile or wallpaper designs, repeat pattern…), an extension activity, or as a whole class task. Students are asked to read the information about the artist then answer questions, then show their visual understanding through a Morris-inspired design of their own. A fantastic resource to have on hand and relevant to so many projects!

This presentation takes you through a range of examples of how perspective systems have been used in Art from pre-Renaissance to Cubism and gives short accompanying texts to explain the developments. Originally devised for a year 9 class, this presentation has been useful in giving context to KS4 and 5 classes developing drawing and painting skills and also as a way of introducing Cubism in a meaningful way. With a good range of images to illustrate different forms of perspective, the presentation is useful for generating discussion and improving art historical understanding.

This lesson was designed for a year 9 class to introduce the concept of Abstraction. There is an introduction with background and definition and then two artists looked at in more detail: Piet Mondrian and Beatriz Milhazes. There are opportunities for discussion of ideas throughout and students are asked key questions. The presentation finishes by setting a homework task where students research one of the artists and present a page in their sketchbooks. There is a template provided to guide students in producing high quality artist research and two student examples. (slides 29 to 34 can be printed as a '6 slide to a page handout' and photocopied for students to follow) There is a short quiz mid way through the presentation - and a slide at the end which can be printed as a differentiated version of the quiz for individual students. Also at the end is a page of links to helpful web resources which support the lesson. There is a link to a 5 minute video on Milhazes in the presentation which provided interesting context. I have found that this lesson is unusually wordy but that students respond very well to the concepts and seem to really enjoy looking at these artists in more detail - I have received some excellent homework from this lesson!

This powerpoint presentation is designed to be printed and then photocopied into a booklet (A5 sized) which can be stuck into the back of year 10 students sketchbooks towards the start of the GCSE course. I have found that students take the idea of managing their own learning more seriously with the handbook and that they are able to refer to pages on evaluation and artist research when needed. They seem to enjoy having this resource. The booklet has been updated to the wording of the new specification (from 2016, AQA exam board - though this is easily adapted to other boards) and includes a page outlining the projects students will cover over the year that you would probably want to adapt to suit your own course. The idea of producing this as a powerpoint is that you can also incorporate pages into your own lesson presentations where relevant throughout the year (for instance when asking students to add new vocabulary).

A 12 lesson unit of work with a powerpoint for each lesson with additional worksheets and differentiated print outs. The project is aimed at KS3 students and includes some great cross-curricular elements (shapes and geometry, geography and music). Students learn about the fantastic art of the Ndebele people (from Southern Africa) and create their own individual modroc version including their own personal designs. Using acrylic paint, they decorate the houses in the characteristic Ndebele style (an excellent book with images of this art form: ). Students really enjoy the 3d making in this project, which covers a number of skills, as well as the bright colours that are characteristic of this style.

A guide to mind-mapping for art students. Presented as a mind-map (naturally!) it is intended to be something that students might have to hand whilst working on this task, and refer to as they progress. The PDF download is printable at A3 or A4, so could be used as a poster or handout for the class. Also provided are some student examples for discussion and inspiration.

A three page printable worksheet resource on Wassily Kandinsky. Can be used as a cover lesson during a relevant project (Abstraction, Expressionism, colour, landscape…), an extension activity, or as a whole class task. Students are asked to read the information about the artist then answer questions then create their own abstracted landscape from the source images. Also included are 4 landscape images printed very lightly that students can work on top of, if a differentiated activity is required. Designed to be easy to deploy and requires no specialist materials or knowledge. A fantastic resource to have on hand and relevant to many projects!

A two page PDF resource (can be photocopied back to back and laminated for repeated use) on the artist Vincent Van Gogh. Can be used as a cover lesson during a relevant project (drawing, still life, portraiture, shoes…), an extension activity, independent study, or as a whole class task. Students are asked to read the information about the artist then answer questions, then show their visual understanding by creating their own shoe drawing. There are also links to other artists (Lisa Milroy and Tracey Emin) to develop ideas and further investigation. The lesson requires minimal materials (paper and pencils) and can be carried out in a non-specialist classroom. A great introduction to an important artist whose work is inspiring and engaging for young people.

Develop literacy in the Art room with a one-page handout to support students’ vocabulary. 80+ descriptive words for writing about their own work or the work of other artists on one engaging worksheet/poster. Easy to follow, the sheet gives hints and tips to advise students on writing about art. Designed with GCSE and A level students in mind, but could also be used with more independent-minded KS3 students. Printable at either A3 as a poster, or A4 as a handout.

Want to improve your Art students’ annotation skills?! A one page handout to support students in producing high quality annotation in their Art and Design work. Guidance for writing about their own work, as well as the work of other artists. Easy to follow, the sheet gives hints and tips to advise students on annotation so they get it right. The sheet has been designed with GCSE and A level students in mind, but could also be used with more independent-minded KS3 students. Printable at either A3 as a poster, or A4 as a handout.

Guidance for KS5 students in an easy to access format on annotation, vocabulary and assessment objectives. Print 2 pages back to back for a quick reference getting students to take responsibility for doing the right thing!

This page can be printed at A3 size then folded down into a small booklet which gives page by page instructions for an exam project on the Beginning and/or End theme. The sheet is designed for students who struggle to work completely independently and need more guidance on how to structure their project. The theme is narrowed to Seasons and then Spring and then takes natural forms such as flowers and seedpods as the focus. This enables students to produce high quality observational drawing and photography. Two artists researches are specified: Angie Lewin and Beatriz Milhazes with a choice of the third (suggestions are given: William Morris, Margaret Mee, Catherine Bertola and Karl Blossfeldt). Students are instructed to work in a range of media and then need to develop their own outcome from their investigations. If they have followed the steps they will end up with a coherent project, covering all of the assessment objectives. I have found that students like the balance of independence and structure that the book gives them and helps avoid wasted time where they are looking at random ideas without a strong thread. Instructions for folding the zine from the printed page are also given.

A three page resource on Hilma af Klint (can be photocopied back to back and laminated for repeated use). Vilma af Klint is a fantastic early abstract artist who produced inspiring geometric paintings. Can be used as a cover lesson during a relevant project (abstraction, colour, natural forms, geometry, shape…), an extension activity, home or independent learning, or as a whole class task. Students are asked to read the information about the artist then answer questions, then show their visual understanding by producing a composition of their own. A fantastic resource an inspirational female artist!

A final reminder to students preparing for their GCSE or A level art exam: what to do and how to do it... Good for the last push to help them get it right in the controlled assessment... Can be printed for display or handout at either A3 or A4 size.

An A3 pdf poster for artroom display to support students’ understanding of the Assessment Objectives. This version uses the ‘new specification’ wording (for year 10 students now) - a version with the ‘old spec’ wording is also available in my shop, though there is not too much difference between them! The poster aims to keep it simple and provides short ‘student speak’ explanations of what each assessment objective is looking for. The idea of the poster is to present the process of the project from the perspective of an explorer: developing ideas (using a compass to set a course for the investigation), refining skills with appropriate tools (penknife illustration), recording ideas by observing carefully (binoculars) and documenting, and finally shining a light on the culmination of the adventure! A timely piece of classroom display to remind students how they are assessed for both coursework and exam projects. The pdf can be printed at A3 size or reduced down to A4.

One page worksheet with background on the printing method and then instructions on how to create a collograph. Good for student reference in a practical session. Could be used at Key Stage 3, 4 or 5 in a workshop or to help students who are looking into this process for independent work.

This unit of work was designed for KS3 and includes background information on tulips as a Turkish cultural symbol. The project develops through drawing and painting lessons, on to design, and then collage work leading to the final lessons building a relief tile in clay, and then glazing. Each lesson has a powerpoint presentation and there are accompanying worksheets, starters and extension tasks as necessary. In all, the unit covers 7 lessons including a final one on evaluation. This is a fairly speedy project and could easily be extended to cover more lessons. Initial primary observation lessons use real tulips to draw from, though this could be adapted to work from secondary imagery. The lessons feature elements on design, pattern and symmetry. This project has been really successful in providing for a range of skills and students have produced results that they are very proud of!

An A3 printable poster celebrating women artists for International Women’s Day 2017. Thought-provoking and inspiring quotes from seven women artists: Bridget Riley, Shirin Neshat, Vanessa Bell, Kara Walker, Frida Kahlo, Eva Hesse, Paula Modersohn-Becker. I’ve also produced an IWD women artists word search: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/international-women-s-day-artist-word-search-11525006 And you can check out my artist research and analysis worksheet bundle on three women artists here: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/women-artists-worksheets-11519299

Two powerpoint slides with an example of a GCSE student’s evaluation of an exam project. Useful to give students an idea of what to include and a simple format to summarise key parts of the project and evaluate.