Year 6 - Art and design
Develop understanding of symbolism: collect and draw objects
Meaning and symbolism in art: drawing and painting
Study Hub
Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
Pupils will investigate how artists create meaning and tell stories through their art. They will investigate symbolism in art and develop understanding that visual art, craft and design has multiple meanings beyond its surface depiction to support the development of their own visual literacy.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to collect and draw meaningful objects that represent symbols in a story.
Key Notes
- Objects can be chosen intentionally to represent personal or story-based symbolism.
- Observational drawing improves when artists focus on shape, detail and proportion.
- Arranging objects thoughtfully supports stronger compositions and storytelling in art.
Vocabulary To Learn
- still life: a drawing or painting of inanimate objects arranged for observation
- observation: looking carefully at objects to notice details for accurate drawing
- narrative: the story or message conveyed through art
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Any object can be used as it doesn't have to mean anything.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Objects can be chosen intentionally to represent personal or story-based symbolism. Observational drawing improves when artists focus on shape, detail and proportion.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'still life'
a drawing or painting of inanimate objects arranged for observation.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Any object can be used as it doesn't have to mean anything. Correction: Objects can be used to help tell stories and add depth and meaning through what they symbolise.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 6 Art and design guide library.