Skip to content ↓

care
commitment
challenge

Twitter

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge and Skills

The Knowledge and Skills overviews show the specific art and design content students will learn in each unit of study throughout the year. These documents outline both the substantive knowledge (artistic movements, techniques, and contextual understanding) and the disciplinary skills (drawing, painting, sculpture, and critical evaluation) that students will develop. Each unit is broken down to clearly identify what students need to know and what they should be able to do upon completion. Through the systematic development of both knowledge and skills, students build artistic capability, creative problem-solving, and aesthetic appreciation appropriate to their stage of learning.

Pattern - Brianna McCarthy
 

Unit Progress Criteria
Knowledge Skills
  • Learn what patterns are and how they are created through the repetition of shapes, lines, or colours.
  • Understand the difference between regular patterns (geometric and structured) and irregular patterns (organic and free-form).
  • Learn the principles behind optical illusions and how they manipulate perception using visual elements.
  • Understand how contrast, line direction, and shape placement can create the illusion of movement or depth.
  • Learn about Brianna McCarthy’s background as a contemporary Caribbean artist, her influences, and themes in her work.
  • Understand how McCarthy uses art to explore identity, culture, and beauty, often focusing on Afro-Caribbean women.
  • Study McCarthy’s use of mixed media, including collage, patterns, and vibrant colours, in her portraiture.
  • Understand the characteristics of McCarthy’s portrait work, such as bold colours, expressive faces, and intricate patterns.
  • Gain insight into how McCarthy’s art celebrates diversity and individual expression.
  • Learn about different mark-making techniques (dots, lines, cross-hatching) and how they create texture and depth in drawings.
  • Understand how mark making can add detail, shading, and contrast to artwork.
  • Learn how to create different effects with paint using various tools and techniques (e.g., brush strokes, dabbing, splattering).
  • Understand how painted marks can add layers, texture, and interest to a composition.
  • Understand the basics of collage-making, including selecting and layering materials like card, paper, and paint.
  • Learn how to combine different textures and media to create a cohesive artwork.
  • Explore how McCarthy uses collage techniques to blend patterns, portraiture, and abstract forms, and how this can be applied to students’ own work.
  • Develop the ability to identify and create both regular and irregular patterns.
  • Explore how repetition of shapes, lines, and colours forms visually appealing patterns.
  • Learn how to use lines, shapes, and patterns to create optical illusions.
  • Explore the use of contrast and perspective to make eye-catching designs.
  • Develop research skills by investigating Brianna McCarthy’s life, artistic style, and influences.
  • Practice summarising information and organising it into a well-structured research page.
  • Learn to analyse and explain how McCarthy’s work incorporates themes of identity, culture, and pattern.
  • Build observational drawing skills by studying McCarthy’s art and reproducing a piece in her style.
  • Practice using proportion, line work, and details to capture the essence of McCarthy’s portraits.
  • Develop an understanding of McCarthy’s use of patterns, bold colours, and expressive figures.
  • Improve pen control to create a variety of marks (dots, lines, cross-hatching) for texture and detail.
  • Practice layering marks to create depth and complexity in drawings.
  • Learn to experiment with different brushes and tools to create expressive marks with paint.
  • Practice combining different paint strokes and techniques to add texture and interest to artwork.
  • Develop skills in cutting, layering, and arranging paper, card, and painted elements to create a collage.
  • Practice using mixed media to create textured, visually rich compositions.
  • Explore how to combine abstract patterns with figurative elements, reflecting McCarthy’s distinctive style.

Aboriginal Art 

Unit Progress Criteria
Knowledge Skills
  • Learn about the origins and cultural significance of Aboriginal art, dating back tens of thousands of years.
  • Understand how Aboriginal art is deeply connected to storytelling, spirituality, and the natural environment.
  • Explore how Aboriginal art has evolved over time, while maintaining traditional practices and meanings.
  • Gain knowledge of common symbols and icons used in Aboriginal art, such as animals, waterholes, footprints, and meeting places.
  • Understand how these symbols are used to convey stories, messages, and cultural knowledge in Aboriginal art.
  • Learn about the concept of the Dreamtime, which refers to Aboriginal creation stories and the spiritual world.
  • Study a specific Dreamtime story and understand its significance within Aboriginal culture.
  • Understand how Aboriginal artists use symbols, colours, and patterns to illustrate Dreamtime stories.
  • Learn how to interpret a Dreamtime story visually by creating a double-page illustration that represents key elements of the story.
  • Develop an understanding of the stylistic features of Aboriginal art, such as dot painting, cross-hatching, and natural colour palettes.
  • Practice observing and drawing these features from existing Aboriginal artworks to better understand the techniques used.
  • Learn about the cultural significance of the boomerang in Aboriginal culture, both as a tool and as an art form.
  • Explore traditional Aboriginal patterns and symbols, and understand how to incorporate them into a boomerang design.
  • Gain knowledge of how to apply designs and patterns onto a 3D object, using paint and Aboriginal-inspired symbols.
  • Understand the process of constructing and decorating a boomerang, combining practical craft skills with cultural and artistic knowledge.
  • Develop skills in researching and understanding the historical and cultural context of Aboriginal art.
  • Practice summarising key information and presenting it in a clear, organised manner.
  • Learn to recognise and accurately identify common Aboriginal symbols and icons used in artworks.
  • Develop the ability to interpret the meanings of these symbols in the context of Aboriginal storytelling and culture.
  • Enhance storytelling skills by translating a Dreamtime story into a visual format using Aboriginal-inspired techniques.
  • Practice planning and creating a cohesive illustration that uses symbols, patterns, and colours to represent elements of the story.
  • Improve observational drawing skills by closely studying Aboriginal artworks and reproducing key features like dot painting, patterns, and naturalistic elements.
  • Develop attention to detail and accuracy in replicating artistic techniques and patterns.
  • Build creative design skills by incorporating traditional Aboriginal symbols and patterns into an original boomerang design.
  • Practice planning a balanced and culturally inspired composition that reflects Aboriginal art styles.
  • Learn practical skills in 3D object construction and decoration.
  • Develop precision in applying painted designs onto a 3D surface, ensuring that patterns and colours are accurately rendered.
  • Practice hand-eye coordination and craftsmanship in crafting and painting the boomerang, reflecting cultural symbols.

Sea Life
 

Unit Progress Criteria
Knowledge Skills
  • Practice observational drawing, focusing on basic shapes, proportions, shading, and textures.
  • Learn how to capture light, shadow, and texture to create a realistic representation of objects.
  • Develop drawing techniques such as observation, proportional drawing, and detailing.
  • Research Vincent Scarpace’s life, work, and artistic style, and compile a research page with facts and images.
  • Analyse Scarpace’s artistic approach, materials, and techniques, gaining an understanding of how artists develop their style.
  • Copy a drawing by Yanella Elms to learn her style, focusing on line work and form.
  • Replicate an artist’s technique, honing technical drawing skills and understanding their creative process.
  • Experiment with watercolour techniques, such as blending, layering, and creating gradients.
  • Apply colour theory to create dynamic and harmonious compositions in watercolour.
  • Create an illustration using watercolour blending techniques, drawing inspiration from prior lessons.
  • Develop 3D design and sculpting skills, using materials like card to create textures and shapes for a final piece.
  • Integrate various techniques (drawing, research, watercolour) into a cohesive 3D ocean project.
  • Use mixed media to bring together drawing, painting, and sculpture into one final piece.
  • Reflect on skills learned throughout the project and incorporate feedback from peers and teachers.
  • Use the research on Vincent Scarpace and Yanella Elms to show understanding of their styles and artistic approaches.
  • Observational drawing skills, including identifying basic shapes, proportions, and angles.
  • Shading techniques to create depth, texture, and realism in drawings.
  • Detailing and refining sketches to represent light, shadow, and texture accurately.
  • Research skills, including gathering, organising, and presenting information effectively.
  • Critical analysis of an artist's work, materials, and techniques.
  • Replicating another artist’s style to understand their approach and technique.
  • Technical drawing skills for copying and interpreting an artist’s work.
  • Watercolour blending, layering, and gradient creation.
  • Understanding colour theory to create visually balanced and harmonious artwork.
  • Illustration techniques using watercolour, integrating composition and creativity.
  • 3D design and sculpting skills, using materials like cardboard to create texture and form.
  • Mixed media techniques, integrating drawing, painting, and sculpture into one cohesive piece.
  • Applying previously learned skills (drawing, research, watercolour) into a final project.
  • Reflecting on personal artistic progress and skills learned throughout the project.
  • Giving and receiving constructive feedback to improve artistic practice.

 

 

Cookie Policy