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New
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Year 3

Artists who use the rainforest as inspiration for their artwork

I can describe how rainforest themes influence artists' work.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 3

Artists who use the rainforest as inspiration for their artwork

I can describe how rainforest themes influence artists' work.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Rainforest themes can be identified in artworks through specific features.
  2. Artists often draw inspiration from the vibrant colours and diverse life of the rainforest.
  3. Artists consider composition when creating their artwork.

Keywords

  • Rainforest - a dense, tropical forest with diverse ecosystems

  • Diversity - the state of being diverse; variety, especially in species or forms

  • Composition - how the images or elements are arranged within an artwork

  • Feature - a part of something that makes it special

Common misconception

Pupils may think that artists need to have directly experienced something or physically visited somewhere to be inspired to create an artwork.

Explain that artists can be inspired by the rainforest without being physically present there. Clarify that art inspired by rainforests could focus on plants, landscapes, or abstract interpretations.

You could set the scene by playing rainforest-inspired sounds or music, like gentle rainfall, bird calls, and rustling leaves, while pupils work. This creates an immersive environment, helping them feel connected to the rainforest and inspiring creative ideas.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

Tablet/computer is required for research. Colouring media will be required.

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on
Open Government Licence version 3.0
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What materials could you use to make a collage of the natural world?
Correct answer: pieces of paper, leaves, and fabric
only pencils and crayons
computers and tablets
Q2.
Which tool can be used to erase mistakes?
pencil
pen
Correct answer: eraser
crayon
Q3.
Select the primary colours.
Correct answer: red
green
Correct answer: blue
Correct answer: yellow
Q4.
Which drawing technique shows dots?
Correct answer: A
B
C
Q5.
Which of these animals might live in a rainforest?
polar bear
Correct answer: toucan
penguin
dog
Q6.
What is the main difference between a collage and a painting?
Correct answer: A collage is made by sticking materials together. A painting is made with paint.
A collage is only black and white but a painting is colourful.
A collage can only be small but a painting can be big.

4 Questions

Q1.
What is a key feature often found in artwork inspired by the rainforest?
black and white colours
geometric patterns
Correct answer: vibrant colours and diverse species
Q2.
Which artist is known for creating rainforest inspired paintings?
Claude Monet
Correct answer: Henri Rousseau
Frida Kahlo
Correct answer: Abel Rodriguez
Q3.
Diversity is the state of being diverse; variety, especially in or forms.
spacious
Correct answer: species
specifics
Q4.
Why might an artist use bright colours and animal images in an artwork that is inspired by the rainforest?
to make the art look mysterious
Correct answer: to capture the rainforest’s lively and diverse nature
to make it look like a desert scene