Year 1 Art Resources and Lesson Plans
Explore ready-to-teach Year 1 Art resources, lesson plans and schemes of work for teaching the Year 1 Art curriculum. Our creative Art activities help children develop skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, colour, pattern, texture and other techniques while experimenting with different materials and exploring the work of a range of artists.
Popular Year 1 Art Schemes of Work:
What should children learn in Year 1 Art?
Year 1 Art is about giving children opportunities to explore materials, experiment with techniques and begin developing confidence in expressing their own ideas. They should use drawing, painting, sculpture and other creative processes while learning about colour, line, shape, pattern, texture and the work of different artists.
Develop drawing and mark-making skills
Encourage children to use pencils, crayons, charcoal and other drawing tools to explore different types of line, shape, pattern and texture while beginning to draw from observation and imagination.
Explore paint and colour
Give children opportunities to experiment with paint, mix colours, use different brushes and tools, and explore how colour can be used to create different effects and express ideas.
Experiment with materials and sculpture
Help children explore how materials can be shaped, joined, arranged and combined through activities involving clay, modelling materials, collage, textiles and simple three-dimensional work.
Learn from artists and develop ideas
Introduce children to the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, encouraging them to talk about what they notice and use artworks as inspiration for their own creative responses.
Explore our Year 1 Art Resources
Browse our complete collection of Year 1 Art resources, lesson plans and schemes of work. Discover creative Year 1 Art projects covering drawing, painting, sculpture, colour, pattern, texture and a range of artists, with ready-to-teach lessons and activities designed to develop children’s artistic skills and support the KS1 Art and Design curriculum.
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Planning Year 1 Art
When planning Art in Year 1, give children plenty of opportunities to explore materials, experiment with techniques and develop their own creative ideas. Practical activities using drawing, painting, collage, printing and sculpture can help children build confidence while developing important skills in colour, line, shape, pattern, texture and form.
Introduce children to the work of a range of artists, craftspeople and designers, encouraging them to look closely at artwork, talk about what they notice and use what they discover to inspire their own work. Children should also begin to use sketchbooks to explore ideas and record their experiences. Revisiting different materials and techniques throughout the year helps children develop their skills and build a strong foundation for the KS1 Art and Design curriculum.
Planning Art for your whole school? Explore our Art Curriculum Packs →Frequently Asked Questions about Year 1 Art
What should children learn in Year 1 Art?
In Year 1 Art, children should explore a range of materials and develop skills in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques. They should experiment with colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space, as well as learning about the work of different artists, craftspeople and designers.
What are some good Year 1 Art topics?
Good Year 1 Art topics give children plenty of opportunities to experiment and create. Popular ideas include colour and colour mixing, portraits and self-portraits, landscapes, nature art, pattern, printing, collage and simple sculpture. Topics can also be based around a particular artist or artistic style.
What Art skills should Year 1 children develop?
Year 1 children can develop early skills in drawing and mark-making, colour mixing, painting, printing, collage, modelling and sculpture. They should have opportunities to use different tools and materials, make choices about their artwork and begin to talk about their creative process.
Which artists are suitable for Year 1?
There is no prescribed list of artists for Year 1. Children can explore a diverse range of artists, craftspeople and designers whose work provides accessible starting points for practical activities. Artists with distinctive uses of colour, shape, pattern, line or texture can work particularly well with younger children.
Should Year 1 children use sketchbooks?
Sketchbooks can be introduced in Year 1 as a place for children to draw, experiment with materials, explore colours and patterns and record their ideas. At this age, sketchbooks do not need to contain polished finished work. They are most useful when children are encouraged to experiment freely and revisit their ideas.
How can I make Year 1 Art lessons manageable in the classroom?
Choose activities with a clear artistic focus and introduce new materials and techniques gradually. Demonstrating techniques before children begin, organising equipment in advance and giving children time to experiment can make practical Art lessons much easier to manage. Ready-to-teach Year 1 Art lesson plans can also reduce the preparation needed for each project.
How often should Art be taught in Year 1?
The National Curriculum does not specify how often Year 1 Art must be taught. Schools may teach Art weekly, alternate it with another foundation subject or teach it in blocks. The important thing is that children have sufficient opportunities to develop and revisit their artistic skills across KS1.
What is included in PlanBee Year 1 Art resources?
PlanBee's Year 1 Art resources include ready-to-teach lesson plans and schemes of work with teaching slides, practical activities and supporting resources. The lessons are designed to help children explore different materials, techniques and artists while developing the knowledge and skills needed for the KS1 Art and Design curriculum.
