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Year 10

Developing ideas for experimentation

I can explore different materials, leading to creative and innovative discoveries.

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New
New
Year 10

Developing ideas for experimentation

I can explore different materials, leading to creative and innovative discoveries.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Experimentation allows artists to explore new themes and concepts that may not emerge through traditional methods.
  2. Experimentation encourages artists to embrace uncertainty and failure, leading to discoveries that enhance their work.
  3. Experimentation allows artists to refine their ideas through repeated investigations, leading to more innovative work.

Keywords

  • Experiment - taking risks, and seeing what you can create or discover through practice and exploration

  • Refine - making artwork more expressive, cohesive, and skillful, through practice or selection of visual elements

  • Development - improving ideas, making adjustments, and exploring new possibilities until artwork reaches its final form

Common misconception

Using inspiration from artists means copying their work exactly.

The goal is not to copy an artist's work but to adapt their techniques, mark-making, or approach to develop your own creative style and ideas.


To help you plan your year 10 art and design lesson on: Developing ideas for experimentation, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Regular reflection helps students understand their choices. Ask them to pause and think about how their material choices are shaping their work.
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Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

Task B & C: Monochrome mixed media materials (black, white, gray): string, tape, card, scissors, pastels, charcoal, glue, newspaper, paint, ink.

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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 is a fundamental aspect of experimentation in art?
repeating traditional techniques
following strict guidelines
Correct answer: exploring new methods and materials
prioritising realism
Q2.
Why is uncertainty important in art experimentation?
It ensures the artwork will succeed.
Correct answer: It allows for unexpected discoveries.
It limits the scope of creativity.
It avoids criticism.
Q3.
What is refinement in art?
Correct Answer:improving technique,practising to make skills like drawing or painting better over time
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practising to make skills like drawing or painting better over time

Correct Answer:adding details,adding intricate touches to make the work more realistic/expressive
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adding intricate touches to make the work more realistic/expressive

Correct Answer:fixing mistakes,carefully checking and correcting errors in your work
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carefully checking and correcting errors in your work

Correct Answer:polishing final piece,making the artwork look complete and professional
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making the artwork look complete and professional

Q4.
Development in art: arrange the following steps in the correct order.
1 - learning and practising basic skills
2 - experimenting with new ideas, materials, media and techniques
3 - adding details and refining the work
4 - completing and presenting the final artwork
Q5.
What is mark-making in art?
the act of signing an artwork with your name
Correct answer: the process of creating lines, textures, and patterns on a surface
using technology to create digital art
printing marks on paper with a machine
Q6.
Match the mark-making terms to their descriptions.
Correct Answer:line,linear strokes - straight, curved, thick, or thin to define shapes
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linear strokes - straight, curved, thick, or thin to define shapes

Correct Answer:texture,marks that can demonstrate how something feels, like rough or smooth
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marks that can demonstrate how something feels, like rough or smooth

Correct Answer:dot,a basic mark that can be small, simple, or used to form patterns
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a basic mark that can be small, simple, or used to form patterns

Correct Answer:smudge,a blurred or softened mark made by blending materials like charcoal
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a blurred or softened mark made by blending materials like charcoal

Correct Answer:cross-hatching,overlapping lines used to create shading or depth
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overlapping lines used to create shading or depth

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