Researching and gathering source material
Great art rarely appears from nowhere. Artists collect photographs, sketches, objects and ideas long before the final piece takes shape.
Part of your national curriculum
- Developing ideas: Research and gather visual and other source material to inform and develop a personal creative response
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Research and gather visual and other source material to inform and develop a personal creative response
Key learning points
- • Primary and secondary sources
- • Building a sketchbook of research
- • From research to personal response
This lesson at a glance
- 25 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
Researching and gathering source material
Great art rarely appears from nowhere. Artists collect photographs, sketches, objects and ideas long before the final piece takes shape.
In a nutshell
Research and gather visual and other source material to inform and develop a personal creative response
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 17
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Primary and secondary sources
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 17
Learn
Primary and secondary sources
Primary sources are things you observe or record yourself — a sketch from life, your own photograph, a collected object. Secondary sources are other people's images or texts, such as a book or website. Strong projects mix both.
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
Building a sketchbook of research
A sketchbook is a working record, not a finished gallery. Fill it with quick drawings, colour tests, torn images, written notes and questions. Annotate why something interests you — that reasoning becomes the backbone of your final idea.
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 · From research to personal response
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 17
Learn
From research to personal response
Look for patterns across your research: a recurring colour, shape or theme. Select and combine the most useful findings rather than using everything, and let your own viewpoint — not just your sources — shape the final response.
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.
Look for patterns across your ____: a recurring colour, shape or theme.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 17
Game · Recall cards
Which is an example of a primary source?
Card 1 of 3
Mastery quiz
Part 16 of 17
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Researching and gathering source material
3 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Which is an example of a primary source?
2. What is the main purpose of a sketchbook?
3. How should research inform a final personal response?
Lesson round-up
Part 17 of 17
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
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Games
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Points this lesson
0
Best run
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Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 17 · Watch & discover
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Research and gather visual and other source material to inform and develop a personal creative response