Progression of Texture Description by Year Level

Texture is a fundamental element of visual art that refers to the perceived surface quality of an object or artwork. It can be created through a variety of techniques, including brushwork, texture mediums, collage, and digital manipulation. Understanding and effectively using texture is essential for creating visually interesting and engaging artworks.

This progression outlines the development of texture understanding and skills throughout the Australian Curriculum: Art. It starts with basic tactile exploration in Foundation and gradually progresses to advanced concepts like texture and theory in the senior secondary year levels.

In the junior primary levels, students begin their exploration of texture through tactile experiences. They learn to identify and describe basic textures using simple vocabulary and experiment with various materials to create different textural effects. This foundation is essential for developing a deeper understanding of texture and its role in visual art.

Foundation

• Tactile exploration: Explores textures through touch (rough, smooth, soft, hard).
• Basic texture vocabulary: Uses simple words to describe textures (rough, smooth, bumpy).
• Creating texture: Experiments with different materials to create various textures.

Year 1

• Visual texture: Recognises textures in pictures and objects.
• Texture in nature: Identifies textures found in the natural world (e.g., soft grass, rough bark).
• Texture imitation: Attempts to recreate textures using various materials.

Year 2

• Texture vocabulary expansion: Uses more descriptive texture words (fuzzy, slimy, gritty).
• Texture contrast: Explores the effect of contrasting textures in artworks.
• Texture and emotion: Links textures to feelings (e.g., soft for calm, rough for angry).

In the middle years of primary school, students explore the concept of texture, examining both real and implied textures in their artworks. They begin to understand how different art materials can create unique textural effects and how texture can be used to enhance the overall composition and convey meaning.

Year 3

• Real and implied texture: Distinguishes between actual and visual texture.
• Texture and medium: Explores how different art materials create different textures.
• Texture and composition: Uses texture to create visual interest and emphasis.

Year 4

• Texture analysis: Describes how texture is achieved (e.g., brushstrokes, collage).
• Texture and depth: Understands how texture can create a sense of depth.
• Texture and symbolism: Explores how texture can convey meaning.

In Years 5 and 6, students continue to explore the multifaceted role of texture in visual art. They learn how texture can be used to define shape and form, create a sense of movement, and interact with light. Additionally, they explore the cultural significance of texture and develop their own personal approaches to using texture in their artworks.

Year 5

• Texture and form: Uses texture to define the shape and form of objects.
• Texture and movement: Explores how texture can create a sense of motion.
• Texture and light: Understands how texture interacts with light.

Year 6

• Texture and composition: Uses texture to enhance the overall design of an artwork.
• Texture and cultural context: Recognises how texture is used in different cultures.
• Texture and personal style: Develops a personal approach to using texture.

In Levels 7 and 8, students should look into the advanced concepts of texture. They learn to analyze how texture is created using various techniques and how it contributes to the overall form and space of an artwork. They explore the symbolic meaning of texture and its cultural significance, as well as how texture can affect the viewer’s experience and interpretation of a piece.

Level 7

• Texture analysis: Students can articulate how texture is achieved (impasto, collage, mixed media) and its impact on the artwork.
• Texture and form: Explores how texture contributes to the three-dimensionality of a piece.
• Texture and space: Understands how texture can create a sense of depth or flatness.

Level 8

• Texture and symbolism: Students can interpret how texture is used to convey meaning or emotion.
• Texture and cultural context: Recognizes the cultural significance of specific textures.
• Texture and audience: Considers how texture affects the viewer’s experience.

In Levels 9 and 10, students explore the advanced techniques and applications of texture. They experiment with a wide range of materials to achieve specific textural effects and understand the relationship between the artistic process and the resulting texture. They learn how to use texture to create visually interesting and dynamic compositions, explore the use of contrasting textures, and recognize the historical and cultural significance of texture in different art movements.

Level 9

• Texture and materials: Experiments with a wide range of materials to achieve specific textural effects.
• Texture and process: Understands the relationship between the artistic process and the resulting texture.
• Texture and technology: Explores digital tools to create and manipulate texture.

Level 10

• Texture and composition: Uses texture to create visual interest, balance, and emphasis in complex compositions.
• Texture and contrast: Explores the use of contrasting textures to create dynamic artworks.
• Texture and art history: Recognizes the use of texture in different art movements and styles.

By the end of secondary school, students should have a deep understanding of texture and its role in visual art. They should be able to analyze, create, and critique the use of texture in various artworks, demonstrating a high level of technical skill and creative expression. This progression provides a solid foundation for further study and exploration of texture in art and design.