Autumn 1: Colour

This unit introduces the children to the element of colour. This concept is then frequently revisited throughout the whole of the curriculum. The lessons use works from Mondrian, Bruegel the Elder, Van Gogh, Vermeer and Monet to explore concepts and vocabulary which relate to colour: primary and secondary colours; warm and cool colours; tints and shades. This allows the children to start to investigate the art of painting. The activities in the unit are designed to allow them to practise good mixing technique and brush control.

Autumn 2: Line 

This unit introduces children to the element of line. It presents the idea that lines are like basic tools for artists and explores Klee’s influential statements describing lines. The lessons explore vocabulary for describing different kinds of lines and children practise using these to create pictures, working directly from instructions and using their imagination. They investigate the work of Rembrandt, Miro, Klee and Pwerle which show how lines can be used to show different things, ranging from simple shapes and objects to representing dreams and patterns. They look at how artists can use different materials to make lines, not only using pencils, pens and paint but using 3D media, such as wire and string. They then produce their own work using mixed media. Looking at large paintings by Miro affords the opportunity to address the idea of scale and the children work as a group to produce a large piece of work altogether.