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New
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Year 10

Selecting inspirational visual source material

I can respond to different sources and share my ideas to identify themes and connections.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 10

Selecting inspirational visual source material

I can respond to different sources and share my ideas to identify themes and connections.

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These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Sources in art can be found in multiple places.
  2. A variety of sources such as art pieces, photographs, or patterns can inspire artists in different ways.
  3. Artists use different methods to map thoughts and concepts visually, aiding the development of themes and projects.
  4. We can document in different ways when responding to sources.

Keywords

  • Source - the materials, references, or inspirations that artists research for their work

  • Theme - the specific subject or content that the artwork focuses on

  • Respond - to react or engage with something, forming an interpretation or personal reaction based on it

Common misconception

Artists always have a fixed idea before they start their work.

Many artists gather inspiration as they go. Collecting a wide range of visual sources lets ideas evolve naturally rather than sticking to a single idea.


To help you plan your year 10 art and design lesson on: Selecting inspirational visual source material, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Prepare artist images for pupil discussion.
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Equipment

Access to computers or digital devices for research (optional), sticky notes (optional) pens and paper (optional)

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 does the word 'source' refer to in art?
The technique used to create the final artwork
Correct answer: The materials, references, or inspirations that artists research for their work
The tools an artist uses to create their artwork
The materials an artist uses to create their artwork
Q2.
What is the correct definition of a theme?
The relative lightness or darkness of a colour
The process of sculpting three-dimensional forms
Correct answer: The subject or focus of an artist's work
The techniques the artist uses to create the work
Q3.
What is the definition of the word 'technique' in art?
Correct answer: The method or way an artist applies tools and materials to create art
The emotional message conveyed through the artwork
The time period or movement an artwork is associated with
The use of a specific colour palette in a painting
Q4.
Match these terms with the correct definition
Correct Answer:Line,straight, curved, jagged, smooth, hard, soft, light, dark, thick, thin
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straight, curved, jagged, smooth, hard, soft, light, dark, thick, thin

Correct Answer:Pattern,a design in which different elements are repeated
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a design in which different elements are repeated

Correct Answer:Shape,an element of art that is two-dimensional, or flat
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an element of art that is two-dimensional, or flat

Correct Answer:Texture,how something feels or looks like it would feel if you touched it
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how something feels or looks like it would feel if you touched it

Q5.
What does 'critical understanding' mean in art?
The ability to memorise facts about art history
Feedback from critics
Strict rules and regulations
Correct answer: Analysing and reflecting on art
Q6.
Fill the gap: Artists that inspire you do not have to be they can be local or have work that is shown in your community.
Correct Answer: famous, well-known, celebrated, mainstream, recognised

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