New
New
Add tone to your sleeping portrait
I can create tone and shadow with a variety of materials to show that a figure is three dimensional.
Lesson 4 of 6
New
New
- Year 4
Add tone to your sleeping portrait
I can create tone and shadow with a variety of materials to show that a figure is three dimensional.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Heavy or light pressure is used to achieve different tones with a pencil.
- We can also show tone by using hatching and cross hatching.
- The side of the object nearest to the light source will be drawn with lighter tones.
- The side of the object furthest away from the light source will show darker tones and shadows.
- By using shadow, tone and line we can show that something is a three-dimensional form.
Keywords
Tone - how light or dark something is
Pressure - how heavily or lightly a drawing tool is being used
Shadow - the area of darkness where the object or figure rests on a surface
Light source - where the main source of light is coming from
Common misconception
Shadow appears all around the object in a single, dark tone. Pupils may also draw shadows as a solid, dark shape.
Ask pupils to draw an arrow to show where the light is coming from. Remind pupils to look carefully at their object and consider where the shadow is darkest and where the shadow fades.
Be aware that the ink from ballpoint pens and hand gel can 'leak' through some papers.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Dreamscapes are a combination of reality, dreams and the artist’s ...
Dreamscapes are a combination of reality, dreams and the artist’s ...
ideas.
artwork.
Q2.We can show what we like about an artwork using a verbal and ...
We can show what we like about an artwork using a verbal and ...
Surrealist response
ideas
Q3.Once we have planned our drawing with shapes, we can go back and change it.
Once we have planned our drawing with shapes, we can go back and change it.
False
Q4. shapes have uniform measurements and do not appear in nature.
shapes have uniform measurements and do not appear in nature.
organic
mathematical
Q5.An outline can be created using a variety of styles, in a variety of ...
An outline can be created using a variety of styles, in a variety of ...
drawing, shapes
line, pencils
Q6.Which of these shapes could be most useful when drawing a hand?
Which of these shapes could be most useful when drawing a hand?
circle
square
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.Tone can only be achieved with pencil.
Tone can only be achieved with pencil.
True
Q2.Which of these tools can be used to create tone?
Which of these tools can be used to create tone?
Q3.To show in drawing, an artist can use line, tone and shadow.
To show in drawing, an artist can use line, tone and shadow.
dreams
figures
outlines
Q4.To achieve different with pencil or charcoal, we use different amounts of ...
To achieve different with pencil or charcoal, we use different amounts of ...
pressure, shadow
tones, light source
shadows, tone
