Threshold Concept

Key Skills

Milestone 1

Years 1 and 2

Milestone 2

Years 3 and 4

Milestone 3

Years 5 and 6

Develop Ideas

• Respond to ideas and starting points.
• Explore ideas and collect visual information.
• Explore different methods and materials as
ideas develop.

• Develop ideas from starting points
throughout the curriculum.
• Collect information, sketches and resources.
• Adapt and refine ideas as they progress.
• Explore ideas in a variety of ways.
• Comment on artworks using visual language

• Develop and imaginatively extend ideas from starting points throughout the curriculum.
• Collect information, sketches and resources and present ideas imaginatively in a sketch book.
• Use the qualities of materials to enhance ideas.
• Spot the potential in unexpected results as work progresses.
• Comment on artworks with a fluent grasp of visual language.

Master Techniques: Painting

• Use thick and thin brushes.
• Mix primary colours to make secondary.
• Add white to colours to make tints and black
to colours to make tones.
• Create colour wheels.

• Use a number of brush techniques using thick
and thin brushes to produce shapes, textures,
patterns and lines.
• Mix colours effectively.
• Use watercolour paint to produce washes for
backgrounds then add detail.
• Experiment with creating mood with colour

• Sketch (lightly) before painting to combine line and colour.
• Create a colour palette based upon colours observed in the natural or built world.
• Use the qualities of watercolour and acrylic paints to create visually interesting pieces.
• Combine colours, tones and tints to enhance the mood of a piece.
• Use brush techniques and the qualities of paint to create texture.
• Develop a personal style of painting, drawing upon ideas from other artists

Master Techniques: Collage

• Use a combination of materials that are cut,
torn and glued.
• Sort and arrange materials.
• Mix materials to create texture

• Select and arrange materials for a striking
effect.
• Ensure work is precise.
• Use coiling, overlapping, tessellation, mosaic and montage

• Mix textures (rough and smooth, plain and
patterned).
• Combine visual and tactile qualities.
• Use ceramic mosaic materials and techniques

Master Techniques: Sculpture

• Use a combination of shapes.
• Include lines and texture.
• Use rolled up paper, straws, paper, card and clay as materials.
• Use techniques such as rolling, cutting, moulding and carving.

• Create and combine shapes to create
recognisable forms (e.g. shapes made from
nets or solid materials).
• Include texture that conveys feelings,
expression or movement.
• Use clay and other mouldable materials.
• Add materials to provide interesting detail.

• Show life-like qualities and real-life proportions or, if more abstract, provoke different interpretations.
• Use tools to carve and add shapes, texture and pattern.
• Combine visual and tactile qualities.
• Use frameworks (such as wire or moulds) to provide stability and form.

Master Techniques: Drawing

• Draw lines of different sizes and thickness.

• Colour (own work) neatly following the lines.

• Show pattern and texture by adding dots and lines.

• Show different tones by using coloured pencils

• Use different hardnesses of pencils to show line, tone and texture.

• Annotate sketches to explain and elaborate ideas.

• Sketch lightly (no need to use a rubber to correct mistakes).

• Use shading to show light and shadow.

• Use hatching and cross hatching to show tone and texture.

• Use a variety of techniques to add interesting effects (e.g. reflections, shadows, direction of sunlight).

• Use a choice of techniques to depict movement, perspective, shadows and reflection.

• Choose a style of drawing suitable for the work (e.g. realistic or impressionistic).

• Use lines to represent movement.

Master Techniques: Print

• Use repeating or overlapping shapes.

• Mimic print from the environment (e.g. wallpapers).

• Use objects to create prints (e.g. fruit, vegetables or sponges).

• Press, roll, rub and stamp to make prints.

• Use layers of two or more colours.

• Replicate patterns observed in natural or built environments. 

• Make printing blocks (e.g. from coiled string glued to a block).

• Make precise repeating patterns.

• Build up layers of colours.

• Create an accurate pattern, showing fine detail.

• Use a range of visual elements to reflect the purpose of the work.

Master Techniques: Textiles

• Use weaving to create a pattern.

• Join materials using glue and/or a stitch.

• Use plaiting.

• Use dip dye techniques

• Shape and stitch materials.

• Use basic cross stitch and back stitch.

• Colour fabric.

• Create weavings.

• Quilt, pad and gather fabric.

• Show precision in techniques.

• Choose from a range of stitching techniques.

• Combine previously learned techniques to create pieces.

Master Techniques: Digital Media

• Use a wide range of tools to create different textures, lines, tones, colours and shapes.

• Create images, video and sound recordings and explain why they were created.

• Enhance digital media by editing (including sound, video, animation, still images and installations).

Take inspiration from the greats

• Describe the work of notable artists, artisans and designers.
• Use some of the ideas of artists studied to create pieces

• Replicate some of the techniques used by notable artists, artisans and designers.
• Create original pieces that are influenced by studies of others.

• Give details (including own sketches) about the style of some notable artists, artisans and designers.
• Show how the work of those studied was influential in both society and to other artists.
• Create original pieces that show a range of influences and styles.