Taking KS2 - Van Gogh Outdoors

Developing drawing techniques

LO: To develop and improve drawing skills and techniques.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

To improve their mastery of art and design techniques.
To learn about great artists.
To create sketch books to record observations and use them to review and revisit ideas.
To evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art.

Have your children develop and master their drawing skills with this outdoor lesson. Your children will have the opportunity to use handmade viewfinders to recreate close ups of nature using a variety of drawing techniques and mediums.

Experimenting with colour mixing and tone

LO: To experiment with colour mixing and tone.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

To improve their mastery of art and design techniques.
To learn about great artists.
To create sketch books to record observations and use them to review and revisit ideas.
To evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art.

During this outdoor lesson, children will look closely at colours, studying the different hues, shades and tones of each colour. They’ll then transfer their knowledge to experiment with mixing paint and creating accurate sunflowers in the style of Van Gogh.

Experimenting with the application of paint

LO: To experiment with the application of paint.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

To improve their mastery of art and design techniques.
To learn about great artists.
To create sketch books to record observations and use them to review and revisit ideas.
To experiment, invent and create.
To evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art.

The main activity of this outdoor lesson gives children the opportunity to use the painting technique ‘impasto’ to create self-portraits in the style of Van Gogh. They’ll combine nature and art, using sticks and other natural items to apply to their paint.

Adding relief and texture to a painting

LO: To add relief and texture to a painting.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

To improve their mastery of art and design techniques.
To learn about great artists.
To create sketch books to record observations and use them to review and revisit ideas.
To experiment, invent and create.
To evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art.

Have your children apply their painting skills to continue to develop their use of the ‘impasto’ technique. This outdoor lesson gives them the opportunity to experiment with various paint mixtures, combining them with a selection of natural materials to create relief in their artwork.

Creating movement and flow in a piece of artwork

LO: To create movement and flow in a piece of artwork.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

To improve their mastery of art and design techniques.
To learn about great artists.
To create sketch books to record observations and use them to review and revisit ideas.
To experiment, invent and create.
To evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art.

During this outdoor lesson, children will recreate the flow and movement found in Van Gogh’s Starry Night, by drawing inspiration from their own outdoor space. Once complete, they will be given the opportunity to discuss and evaluate their work, critiquing it against Van Gogh’s original.

Mrs Davies

Amazing resources which have really helped our school be more confident in using the outdoor space to enhance the children's learning. Great, fun, easy to follow lesson plans, which link directly to the key objectives!

Sharon Taylan

The Alfresco planning hub is a fantastic resources with lesson that are easy to pick up and teach. I use them both as full lesson, lesson starters and intervention session for an LSA. Would highly recommend.

Karyn Weglarz

I am a member of the Planning Hub and I love the variety of lessons provided. Most lessons need only simple materials that I usually already have on hand. I love taking my students out with these lessons.

Amy McTague

Brilliant resources, easy to follow and adapt for learners, clear progression!

Laura Walton

The online planning hub is a lifesaver. I teach in KS1 and the children always ask when we are going outside and parents always say how excited the children are about their outdoor learning. It is exactly what I was looking for and have now been using it for several years. Thank you for such a brilliant resource!

KS2 - Van Gogh

Developing drawing techniques

LO: To develop and improve drawing skills and techniques.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

Experimenting with colour mixing and tone

LO: To experiment with colour mixing and tone.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

Experimenting with the application of paint

LO: To experiment with the application of paint.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

Adding relief and texture to a painting

LO: To add relief and texture to a painting.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

Creating movement and flow in a piece of artwork

LO: To create movement and flow in a piece of artwork.

National Curriculum Objectives covered:

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