Comparing artists and makers
Comparing two artists side by side often teaches you more than studying one alone — differences make each choice stand out clearly.
Part of your national curriculum
- Artists and context: Study the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing differences and similarities and making links to their own work
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Study the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing differences and similarities and making links to their own work
Key learning points
- • Describing formal qualities
- • Finding similarities and differences
- • Making links to your own work
This lesson at a glance
- 22 minutes
- 17 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 17
Visual introductionPicture this
Comparing artists and makers
Comparing two artists side by side often teaches you more than studying one alone — differences make each choice stand out clearly.
In a nutshell
Study the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing differences and similarities and making links to their own work
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Describing formal qualities
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
Describing formal qualities
When comparing artists, look at formal elements: colour, composition, mark-making, scale and material. For example, a painter using thick impasto paint creates texture very differently from one using thin, flat washes of colour.
Reset break
Part 4 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 17
Learn
Finding similarities and differences
Two artists tackling the same subject — such as a portrait or a landscape — might share a subject but differ completely in style, mood or technique. Naming exactly what is similar and what differs sharpens your own critical eye.
Quick check
Part 6 of 17
Quick check
Part 7 of 17
Reset break
Part 8 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 17
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Making links to your own work
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
Making links to your own work
Studying other makers is not just analysis — it should feed back into your practice. Try borrowing one technique, such as a way of applying colour or a compositional device, and adapting it in your own piece.
Quick check
Part 11 of 17
Reset break
Part 12 of 17
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 4 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 13 of 17
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 14 of 17
Game · Fill the gaps
Finish the sentences
Choose the word that belongs in each gap.
When comparing ____, look at formal elements: colour, composition, mark-making, scale and material.
Studying other ____ is not just analysis — it should feed back into your practice.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
Which of these is a 'formal quality' of art?
Card 1 of 3
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Comparing artists and makers
3 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Which of these is a 'formal quality' of art?
2. Why compare two artists on the same subject?
3. What should studying other artists lead to?
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
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Ask LunaPart 1 of 17 · Watch & discover
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Study the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing differences and similarities and making links to their own work