New
New
Drawing: create a character for a story
I can design a character that uses symbols and colours to show meaning for my own story.
Lesson 2 of 6
New
New
- Year 6
Drawing: create a character for a story
I can design a character that uses symbols and colours to show meaning for my own story.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Character design combines imagination with visual clues for the audience.
- Characters can use symbols (colours, shapes, objects) to show personality or meaning.
- Artists plan and sketch ideas before creating final designs.
- Colour and shape choices help tell a story or express mood.
Keywords
Mood - the feeling or atmosphere an artwork creates
Character design - the process of creating the look and personality of a character
Sketch - making quick and simple drawings to show ideas or the things we see
Common misconception
Characters just need to look good, they don’t need to mean anything.
Great character design includes meaning with symbols and design choices conveying personality and mood.
Encourage pupils to explain their design choices out loud. This helps them think about symbolism and meaning, and makes sure their art tells the story they want it to.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Pencils, coloured pencils, pens (marker and fineliners), eraser.
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.What do symbols like skulls, wilting flowers, and hourglasses in Vanitas paintings show?
What do symbols like skulls, wilting flowers, and hourglasses in Vanitas paintings show?
Happiness and joy
Strength and power
The changing seasons
Q2.Match these words to their meanings:
Match these words to their meanings:
Q3.Match the type of artwork to the use of symbolism:
Match the type of artwork to the use of symbolism:
Q4.Put these ideas in order to understand symbolism in art:
Put these ideas in order to understand symbolism in art:
Q5.What word means a picture or object that stands for something else?
What word means a picture or object that stands for something else?
Q6.What word means the customs, beliefs and ideas of a group of people?
What word means the customs, beliefs and ideas of a group of people?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does 'mood' in character design mean?
What does 'mood' in character design mean?
The size of the character
The character’s clothes only
The background of the drawing
Q2.Why do artists use colour in character design?
Why do artists use colour in character design?
To decorate the paper with different patterns
To create a realistic scene of a room
To copy other artists' designs
Q3.Match these words to their meanings:
Match these words to their meanings:
Q4.Match these colours to moods they often show in art:
Match these colours to moods they often show in art:
Q5.Put these steps in the correct order for designing a character:
Put these steps in the correct order for designing a character:
Q6.Put these steps to creating a character design sketch in order:
Put these steps to creating a character design sketch in order:
