SUNFLOWERS (Key Stage 1)

Teaching Pack

5 Lesson Presentation Slides
Knowledge Organiser
Medium Term Planning
Teaching resources
Additional Presentation: Elements of Art
Additional Presentation: 5 Minute Drawing

Unit Overview

Sequence of Learning for Teachers

In this unit of work children use the theme of the series of sunflower paintings by the artist Vincent Van Gogh to consolidate and develop their skills and techniques in painting. Through this unit of work, they are also introduced to the techniques of wax resist, relief printmaking and collage to create art. The outcomes from each session and the creative outcome can be used as part of a whole-class display about Vincent Van Gogh and his sunflower series of paintings.

This knowledge, skills and understanding is delivered through the following convergent task sessions:

Session 1: Observational Drawing

Session 2: Wax Resist Painting

Session 3: Tints, Shades & Patterns

Session 4: Printmaking Petals

Creative Outcome (Divergent task) – My Sunflowers

The unit of work completes with the creative outcome (divergent task) activity that can be delivered over two or more sessions. These sessions can also be used for children to complete activities from sessions 1-4. For this activity, children apply their knowledge and techniques learnt in sessions 1 – 4 to create a mixed-media piece of art based on the sunflower paintings of Vincent van Gogh. Children can be given the opportunity to choose which techniques to use and how to use them to create their artwork. The creative outcome activity provides an opportunity for children to apply their knowledge, skills and understanding from previous sessions in this unit of work. Through the creative outcome children will develop their creativity and understanding of the creative process by combining their imagination with the knowledge they have acquired.

Learning Sequence

Session 1

In this session children learn about the life and work of the artist Vincent Van Gogh and are introduced to the technique of observational drawing. Children experience how line, shape, colour and pattern (elements of art) are combined to create artwork. Children learn that observational drawing is drawing what you see in front of you as realistically and as true to life as possible.

Session 2

In this session children are introduced to the series of sunflower paintings created by the artist Vincent Van Gogh. They learn that Van Gogh painted a series of paintings with sunflowers as the subject. Using their observational drawing from the previous session, children draw their own version of sunflowers in a vase mimicking the style of the artist. they then use this drawing to create a wax resist painting of sunflowers in a vase.

Session 3

This session builds upon children’s learning about colour theory and colour mixing from the previous session. In this session children learn how adding white and black to a base colour creates tints and shades of that colour. Using this knowledge and knowledge of line, colour and pattern children create patterned paper using tints and shades of yellow.

Session 4

In this session children are introduced to/consolidate their understanding of printmaking and collage techniques that are used to create art. Using their observational drawings to help them they create a simple relief print block of a sunflower petal. Working collaboratively in small groups children create a collage centre of a sunflower and then use printmaking techniques to crate the petals.

Creative Outcome

For the divergent task children are challenged to create their own version of Van Gogh’s sunflower series of paintings using collage and mixed media techniques. This is an opportunity to apply their learning from the previous sessions in this unit of work. Children can choose which media to work with and what techniques to use to create their unique piece of artwork.

ART ACADEMY