Recording from observation and first-hand sources
I can use direct observation to explore different perspectives, applying various materials and approaches in my artwork.
Recording from observation and first-hand sources
I can use direct observation to explore different perspectives, applying various materials and approaches in my artwork.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Observation helps artists capture nuances in subjects, whether through detailed forms or more playful, exploratory ways.
- Perspective shapes how we see the world, both in our physical position and in how we approach drawing tasks.
- Recording from observation allows artists to explore different perspectives through the materials used.
Keywords
Perspective - is the way you see or understand something, based on your point of view or experiences.
Observation - is the act of noticing or paying attention to details in order to gain information or understand something.
Stimulus - a source of inspiration or reference that sparks ideas for artwork, such as a real-life object, scene, or image.
Common misconception
Exploring different perspectives just means drawing the object from different angles.
To explore perspectives, you also need to change how you look at the object—by positioning yourself differently, changing your distance, or experimenting with different materials and techniques. It's about seeing the object in new ways.
To help you plan your year 10 art and design lesson on: Recording from observation and first-hand sources, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 art and design lesson on: Recording from observation and first-hand sources, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 art and design lessons from the Foundation workshops: selecting primary sources and recording observations unit, dive into the full secondary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
Objects from students belongings or surroundings, drawing materials and tape.
Licence
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
noticing details to gain information or understanding
a source of inspiration or reference that sparks ideas for artwork
how you see something and the technique for creating depth in art
components like line, shape, tone, colour, and texture used in art