Mixed Media Exploration

Lesson 6 of 10: Introduction to Mixed Media

Duration: 60 minutes

Class size: 1 student

Curriculum: Curriculum for Wales – Expressive Arts (Art and Design)

Age group: Year 8 (12-13 years old)

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WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Understand what mixed media art is and identify different types of mediums.
• Explore how to combine at least three different media in one artwork.
• Develop creativity and experimentation through hands-on mixed media creation.
• Reflect on artistic choices and evaluate own work against success criteria.

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Curriculum for Wales Alignment

• Area of Learning & Experience (AoLE): Expressive Arts
• Strands: Art and Design
• Statements of What Matters:
  • "Creativity through the arts develops confidence and personal identity."
  • "Expressive arts challenge and inspire through individual and collaborative creativity."
• Progression Step:
  • Step 3 (age 11-14): Pupils can combine media and materials to express personal ideas and feelings with increasing subtlety and complexity.
• Learning Objectives (Lo):
  • Lo3: Experiment with a range of materials, techniques, technologies and processes to realise ideas and intentions.
  • Lo5: Reflect with increasing sophistication on their own and others’ creative work to develop ideas.
• Competencies Targeted:
  • Creative & enterprising – generating imaginative ideas and expressing them through various media.
  • Personal effectiveness – managing own learning, taking creative risks, and self-reflecting.

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Resources Needed

• Variety of papers (card, tissue, newspaper, patterned papers)
• Paints (watercolour, acrylic) and brushes
• Colourful pencils and charcoal sticks
• Glue, scissors, tape
• Fabric scraps, string, magazine cutouts, buttons or small found objects
• Palette or mixing trays
• Apron and protective sheet
• Dyslexia-friendly printed explanation sheet (simple layout with bullet points and images)

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Discuss and define mixed media art: Art that uses two or more different materials or methods.
• Show visual examples (printed or displayed) of mixed media art — focusing on combinations like collage with paint and fabric or pencil with ink and photo cutouts.
• Use the dyslexia-friendly sheet to explain key concepts:
  • What is mixed media?
  • Common combinations in mixed media.
  • Benefits of mixed media (texture, depth, expression).
• Connect to prior learning by briefly revisiting previous lessons on single media.

Teacher tips: Use clear, concise language, speak calmly and check for understanding often.

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2. Demonstration (10 minutes)

• Demonstrate choosing 3 or more media to create a simple mixed media sample on a small paper/card:
  • E.g. draw a simple outline (pencil), add paint to one part, glue fabric or paper scraps on another.
• Highlight layering techniques and how different textures and colours interact.
• Talk aloud about making choices purposefully (colour matching, composition balance, contrast).

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3. Student Activity – Create Your Mixed Media Art (30 minutes)

• Task: Create a piece that incorporates at least 3 media types from the materials provided.
• Encourage the student to:
  • Plan their artwork first with a rough pencil sketch.
  • Experiment layering and applying media.
  • Be creative and expressive — no 'right or wrong'.
  • Keep safety in mind with scissors and glue.

Differentiation:

• For support (if needed): Provide visual step-by-step prompts and offer guided questions.
• For extension: Challenge the student to incorporate a found-object element or use text within their artwork to add narrative or meaning.

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4. Reflection and Assessment (10 minutes)

• Discuss the completed work using structured questions:
  • Which media did you choose and why?
  • How did layering different materials change the look or feel?
  • What was challenging or enjoyable?
  • How does your piece express your ideas or feelings?
• Invite self-assessment using a simple checklist:
  • Used 3+ media
  • Thought about colour and texture
  • Created a balanced composition
• Teacher to give positive, constructive feedback, linking to curriculum goals.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Provide tactile materials for sensory engagement.
• Use dyslexia-friendly printouts with visuals and bullet points to aid processing.
• Offer one-to-one verbal prompts and rephrasing as needed.
• Adjust pace to accommodate the student’s individual learning speed and confidence.
• Allow verbal or visual explanations instead of writing for reflections if preferred.

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Extension Activities

• Experiment with adding digital media by taking photos of mixed media art and digitally editing colour or layouts.
• Research and present on a mixed media artist (e.g., Robert Rauschenberg) to link art history and practice.
• Explore combining sound or movement with mixed media (integrating cross-curricular links with music or drama).

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Learning Outcomes by End of Lesson

The student will be able to:

• Articulate what mixed media art is and identify at least three types of media within their own work.
• Creatively combine different materials and techniques in a purposeful composition.
• Reflect thoughtfully on their creative process and final artwork.
• Demonstrate progress towards the Curriculum for Wales Step 3 in expressive arts.

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Teacher Reflection Notes (post-lesson)

• Was the student able to select and combine media confidently?
• Did they engage with experimentation and risk-taking?
• How effective were the dyslexia-friendly aids?
• Were all learning objectives met, or do certain areas need reinforcement next lesson?
• Consider incorporating peer feedback or digital documentation next time for broader reflection.

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End of Lesson Plan