Aims and Objectives
- knowledge of types of Painting compositions
- skill in Painting and Decorating
- level of understanding of modern trends in Painting and Decorating
- knowledge in the ways of applying Painting and Decorative arts to contemporary environments
- level of aesthetic awareness
- knowledge of job and wealth creation through Painting and Decorating
Scheme of Examination
There will be three Papers, 1, 2 and 3, all of which must be taken.
Papers 1 & 2 will be a composite paper to be taken in 3 hours.
Paper 1:
This will contain forty (40) multiple choice (Objective) questions to be taken in 1 hour for 40 marks. The questions will be drawn from all the topics in the syllabus.
Paper 2:
This will contain six (6) essay-type questions from which candidates will be required to answer four (4) in 2 hours for 60 marks.
Paper 3:
This practical paper is called Decorative Painting and consists of 2 (two) alternative tasks from which candidates will attempt one only. The paper will last for 3 (three) hours and carry 100 marks.
The question paper/requirements for this paper shall be made available to candidates at least two weeks before the date of the examination. This is to give candidates ample time for preparation. However, the execution of the work shall be carried out under WAEC supervision in the examination hall.
Detailed Painting And Decorating Syllabus
INTRODUCTION TO PAINTING
- Meaning of pictorial and decorative painting
- Differences between pictorial and decorative paintings
- Tools and equipment in decorative and pictorial paintings
- Elements and Principles of design
- Functions of pictorial and decorative painting
COLOUR THEORY
- Meaning of colour
- Classes of colour (primary, secondary and tertiary)
- Properties of Colour (hues, tones and intensity)
- Colour schemes (analogous, complementary and monochromes)
- Improvisation of colours from local sources
TECHNIQUES IN PAINTING
- Techniques in pictorial Painting
- Dry painting
- Wet painting
- Glazing
- Impasto
- Fresco
- Tempera
- Techniques in Decorative Painting
- Flat painting
- Rag rolling
- Scumbling or Combing
- Spraying
- Mural
- Mosaic
TYPES AND FUNCTIONS OF PICTORIAL PAINTING
- Still life Painting
- Nature Painting
- Figure / Life Painting
- Differences between the observatory and imaginative painting compositions.
- Functions of pictorial paintings
TYPES AND FUNCTIONS OF DECORATIVE PAINTING
- Body decoration
- Meaning of body decoration.
- Differences between traditional and modern body decorations.
- Motifs and designs for body decoration.
- Materials used for body decoration
- Functions and importance of body decorations.
- Wall Decoration
- Meaning of wall / interior decoration.
- Differences between traditional and modern wall decorations.
- Motifs, patterns and designs for wall decoration.
- Materials used for wall decoration
- Functions and importance of wall decorations.
PERSPECTIVE
- Meaning of Perspective
- Types of perspective
- The importance of perspective in a pictorial painting composition
PROSPECTS IN PAINTING
- The socio-economic value of a pictorial and decorative painting
- Careers in pictorial and decorative painting.
COSTING / MARKETING OF PAINTINGS
- Costing of pictorial and decorative painting based on
- Location and size of work
- Materials/equipment involved
- Time invested.
- Quantity and quality
- Exhibition of Paintings
- Planning / Processes
- Funding
- Marketing of Painting
- Pricing
- Negotiation
- Communication (advertising/publicity)
- Outlets for marketing
Decorative Painting
This paper will seek to evaluate candidates’ ability the creation of aesthetic environments, and it will consist of two questions from which candidates shall attempt one only. The works can be rendered in either poster colors or acrylic colors etc.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
- Painting and Decorating- An Information Manual. A. Fulker, Bill Stewart and D, Tikkle and J. Windsor.
- Painting and Decorating Science A. Fulker, Bill Stewart and D, Tikkle and J. Windsor.
- The Complete Guide to Painting and Decorating Editors of Creative Publishing
- Dictionary of Painting and Decorating. J. H. Goodier
- Painting and Decorating. J. H. Goodier
- The Modern Painter and Decorator. Arthur Seymour Jennings
- Handbook of Painting and Decorating Products. Albert Beckly
Download Complete PDF
View the Painting And Decorating Waec Syllabus as text above or download the syllabus as a PDF below. Please use the buttons below to download offline PDF files for external or internal Waec.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Painting And Decorating WAEC syllabus the same for SSCE and GCE candidates?
Yes. WAEC uses the same Painting And Decorating syllabus for both SSCE (school) and GCE (private/external) candidates, so the topics, aims and scheme of examination are identical.
What does the Painting And Decorating WAEC syllabus contain?
The Painting And Decorating syllabus sets out the aims and objectives, the scheme of examination (papers, duration and marks) and the detailed list of topics and subtopics that your exam questions are drawn from.
Is the Painting And Decorating syllabus the same in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Liberia?
Yes. WAEC standardises the Painting And Decorating syllabus across all member countries, so candidates in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Liberia study the same content.
Can I download the Painting And Decorating WAEC syllabus as a PDF?
Yes. You can download the complete Painting And Decorating WAEC syllabus as a PDF using the SSCE and GCE download buttons above. The PDF works offline for both internal (SSCE) and external (GCE) candidates.
Is this the latest Painting And Decorating WAEC syllabus for 2026?
Yes. This is the current Painting And Decorating syllabus, covering the May/June, Nov/Dec and Jan/Feb WASSCE cycles. It was last reviewed on January 21, 2024.
How should I use the Painting And Decorating syllabus to prepare for WAEC?
Work through every topic in the detailed syllabus above, match each topic to past questions, and use the aims and objectives to understand the skills examiners reward. Cover the whole syllabus, since WAEC sets questions from across all topics.