Sidney Nolan Art Study

Sidney Nolan Artist Study | Visual Arts Unit | Years 3–6

This resource offers an engaging introduction to the life and artwork of famous Australian artist Sidney Nolan, designed specifically for students in Years 3 to 6. Aligned with the Australian Visual Arts Curriculum, this comprehensive unit explores key techniques, themes, and historical context through hands-on creative activities.

📌 IMPORTANT NOTE:
Due to copyright restrictions, this resource does not include reproductions of Sidney Nolan’s artwork. However, all activities are designed with direct reference to specific works, and links are provided to view them online or display them in class from trusted sources.

🖼️ What’s Included:

• ✅ Unit Overview – A clear outline to guide your teaching sequence

• ✅ 11 Hands-On Art Activities – Each with a specific focus, learning intention, step-by-step instructions, and a connection to Nolan’s work

• ✅ Curriculum Links – Aligned to ACAVAM110 and ACAVAM114

• ✅ Links to Sidney Nolan’s Artworks Online – Ready for classroom use

• ✅ No prep needed – Just print and go!

🎨 Activities Overview:

1. Luna Park
   Students explore how Nolan painted scenes from memory and used bold black outlines.

2. Memories
   Inspired by Nolan, students reflect on personal memories and create expressive artwork.

3. Black Outlines
   A practical task where students identify and trace shapes using black lines, just like Nolan’s technique.

4. Warm or Cool?
   Students learn to distinguish between warm and cool colours and their emotional impact in art.

5. Warm and Cool in Practice
   Applying their knowledge, students create artworks using warm or cool palettes.

6. Perspective
   Students examine Nolan’s use of perspective and experiment with it in their own work.

7. Ned Kelly
   A focused study on Nolan’s iconic Ned Kelly series—discussion, analysis, and sketching.

8. Exploring Fluidity
   Students explore how different materials and surfaces behave in painting.

9. Landscape Drawing with Ned Kelly
   Combining landscape and figure drawing, students create a scene for Ned Kelly.

10. Design a Wanted Poster
    A creative extension where students design a Ned Kelly-themed poster. Optional: Class discussion/debate on whether he was a hero or villain.

11. Aerial View
    Students learn about bird’s eye view composition, inspired by Nolan’s landscape paintings.

📚 Curriculum Connections:

Years 3–4 (ACAVAM110):
Explore ideas and artworks from different cultures and times, including artworks by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, as inspiration for their own representations.

Years 5–6 (ACAVAM114):
Explore how artists, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, express different views, beliefs, and opinions through art.

✅ Perfect For:

• Visual Arts lessons

• Australian artist studies

• Cross-curricular history and art links

• Relief teaching or art rotations

• Classroom displays and student portfolios

Bring the world of Sidney Nolan into your classroom with this easy-to-use, creative unit that helps students connect with Australian art in meaningful and memorable ways.