Natural Forms Unit: Observe, Investigate, Create
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Develop students’ observational, photography and creative skills with this comprehensive Natural Forms Unit of Work. Students explore objects such as shells, seed heads, pinecones and twisted twigs through direct observation, photography, drawing, painting, artist research and experimentation before developing a personal final outcome.
Rather than prescribing a single result, the unit encourages curiosity, creative choice and divergent outcomes. The carefully structured stages help students move from observation and investigation to thoughtful experimentation and refinement without simply copying an artist’s work. Designed to be flexible, the unit can be adapted to suit different ages, abilities, schedules and course requirements.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Draw natural forms from direct observation and their own photographs.
- Photograph natural forms and present their photographs.
- Investigate relevant artists and make meaningful connections with their work.
- Experiment with a broad range of media and techniques.
- Explore different artwork formats, arrangements and compositions.
- Develop, refine and present a personal final outcome.
The Detail
The unit begins with an inspiring ‘Natural Forms Artists’ video. Then students choose their own natural form and initially work from direct observation. Students then photograph natural forms, presenting and annotating their photographs, select their strongest images and use them as starting points for drawing, painting and experimentation.
Artist research is woven into the creative process, helping students respond to artists’ ideas, compositions, colour schemes, materials or working methods while retaining ownership of their own work. Students then explore a range of formats and arrangements, develop their ideas and refine a final outcome. lksdjgaljflajd
Included in This Download
- A 4-page written unit of work
- A Link to an inspiring ‘Natural Forms Artists’ video
- A four-page document, Ideas for Linking Students’ Work with Artists, offering practical suggestions for how students could develop their work after researching each artist featured in the video
- A Natural Forms Presentation that includes objectives, video link, and slides designed to help with introducing various stages of the unit.
- The same presentation available as a Google Slides view-only link for quick, browser-based use.
- A list of suggested natural forms artists
- A list of suggested natural forms
- A Good & Bad Photography – Natural Forms sorting activity.
- An ‘Artwork Formats and Arrangements’ handout
Timing Guidance
This unit is organised into adaptable stages rather than fixed lessons. Teachers can select, extend or combine activities to suit the age and ability of their students, the time available and the requirements of their curriculum. (In the UK, I would use this to fill two terms of teaching where I get 3 lessons a fortnight. This is approximately 36 – 39 lessons. However, the unit is very adaptable and has optional stages)
Materials Required
Materials can be adapted to suit what is available but may include natural objects, cameras or devices to photograph, sketchbooks, drawing and painting materials, collage papers and a selection of surfaces on which to experiment.
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