Winter Scene Creation

Learning Intentions (WALT)

We Are Learning To:

Use bleeding tissue paper techniques to create textured, colourful skies.
Develop observational drawing skills by illustrating hills and trees with blank pen.
Explore colour mixing and layering to represent a winter day.
Express creativity to produce an individual winter scene using mixed media.

This session aligns with the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE), particularly Experiences and Outcomes (Es & Os) for Art and Design in Early Level / Second Level (Level 2), which is suitable for year 3 pupils (ages 7-8):

EXA 2-02a: I can experiment with different kinds of media and technologies to create images and objects, comparing my effects and commenting on what works well and why.
EXA 2-03a: I can explore and use colour, texture, shape, form, and pattern in a creative way when designing and making images and objects.
EXA 2-04a: I can express and communicate my ideas, thoughts and feelings through activities within art and design.

Success Criteria

I can:

Carefully apply bleeding tissue paper to make a vibrant winter sky background.
Layer colours in the tissue paper to show depth and variation in the sky.
Use a blank pen to draw clear, imaginative hills and trees over my sky.
Explain my choice of colours and how I created my winter scene.

Resources Needed

Bleeding tissue paper in various colours (white, blue, purple, pink, grey etc.)
Water spray bottles (one for every 4 pupils)
White card sheets (A4 or A3 size) as base for artwork
Blank or white gel pens (for drawing hills and trees)
Aprons or art smocks
Containers/trays to keep tissue paper bits
Towels/paper towels for wiping hands
Example images of winter landscapes for inspiration (printed or projected, dyslexia-friendly layout – simple visuals with short descriptive captions)

Lesson Flow (45 minutes)

1. Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)

Greet pupils and share the WALT and success criteria clearly on the board.
Show examples of winter landscapes and talk briefly about winter skies, colours, and features (trees, hills). Encourage pupils to talk about their winter experiences for engagement.
Introduce bleeding tissue paper technique: explain how colour bleeds when sprayed with water and how layering changes effects.

2. Demonstration (5 minutes)

Model the technique: tear pieces of tissue paper, place on card, spray with water to make colours bleed and blend – emphasise safety and controlled use of water spray.
Show how tissue paper dries after some time and how it looks once removed (if using a technique where paper is peeled away).
Explain how to add hills and trees afterward with a blank gel pen, demonstrating simple shapes and patterns.

3. Main Activity - Creating Winter Scene (25 minutes)

Pupils tear tissue paper and place it on their card to create the sky. Encourage mixing cool colours typical of a winter day (blues, purples, pale pinks, white).
Supervise pupils spraying their tissue paper lightly and observing how colours bleed and blend.
Once satisfied or dry enough, pupils use blank gel pens to draw imaginative hills and winter trees over their sky.
Include prompts for pupils to think about shapes, sizes, and layering of trees/hills for depth.

4. Reflection & Sharing (5 minutes)

Pupils pair up to show their work and describe what they did and their colour choices.
Invite 2-3 pupils to share with the whole class.
Teacher highlights creative efforts and articulation of ideas.

5. Clean-up & Recap (5 minutes)

Guide tidying up materials carefully.
Recap WALT and success criteria, reinforcing learnt skills and approach.

Differentiation Strategies

Support: Provide pre-cut tissue paper pieces and/or templates for hills & trees for pupils who struggle with fine motor skills or focus. Assign peer buddies to support those needing help.
Visual aids: Use step-by-step pictorial instructions on the board or printed sheets with clear simple text (suitable for dyslexic learners).
Sensory needs: Have gloves available for pupils with sensory sensitivities when handling wet materials.
Alternative tools: For pupils unable to use pens effectively, allow use of wax crayons or charcoal sticks to sketch hills and trees.

Extension Activities for Advanced Learners

Encourage experimenting with layering additional textures (e.g., salt sprinkled on wet tissue paper for frost effects).
Challenge pupils to add fine details with coloured pens (such as snowflakes or animals).
Introduce basic principles of light direction and shadows on hills and trees for more realism.
Invite pupils to write a short descriptive poem or sentence about their winter scene, enhancing literacy-art integration.

Assessment

Ongoing formative assessment through observation of pupils’ engagement with the tissue paper technique, use of colour, layering skills, and pen drawing.
Check for pupils’ ability to explain their creative choices verbally during sharing.
Review final artwork for evidence of colour blending, thoughtful composition, and imaginative drawing according to success criteria.

Notes for Teachers

Ensure good ventilation and protect desks against water.
Emphasise process over product to encourage risk-taking and creativity.
Use positive reinforcement to build confidence especially if pupils are new to mixed media art.
Consider displaying artworks in a “Winter Wonder Gallery” around the school for pupil pride and community involvement.

This lesson plan offers a rich sensory art experience designed specifically for Year 3 pupils under the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence framework, marrying creativity with clear developmental art skills and language integration.