Sculpture: make a maquette
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can construct a three-dimensional maquette of a chosen animal, bird, or insect.
Key learning points
- A maquette is a small three-dimensional model used by artists to plan and develop their sculptures.
- Techniques for building a stable armature include creating a framework with materials like wire, card, or foil.
- Sketches or photos can be used to replicate accurate proportions and shapes in a sculpture.
Keywords
Maquette - is a small, rough model of a sculpture used for planning
Three-dimensional - something that has height, width, and depth - unlike a flat drawing or picture
Armature - is a skeleton for your model and a strong frame that gives shape and holds your maquette together
Common misconception
Pupils may think a maquette is the final sculpture and needs to be large. They may also jump into adding small details before constructing the basic form.
Remind pupils that a maquette is a smaller version to plan and test ideas before making a bigger sculpture. The main shape and structure need to be built first to support the details.
Teacher tip
Demonstrate how to create a simple armature using wire, card, or foil to provide structure, and emphasise layering lightweight materials like paper or clay to build up the form. Remind pupils to focus on key characteristics (e.g., wings, legs, or tail) to make their maquette recognisable and unique.
Equipment
Card, wire, tin foil and other recyclable materials.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does "3D" mean?
Q2.What should you do first when sketching a bird?
Q3.True or False? Sculptures are always made from one type of material.
Q4.True or False? A bird’s body can be sketched by using simple shapes like circles and ovals.
Q5.Sculptures are different from drawings because they have __________.
Q6.Tone means how or dark something is.
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.A maquette is a small __________ that helps artists plan their sculptures.
Q2.Put these steps for making a maquette in the correct order:
Q3.Which of these is NOT a material commonly used for maquettes?
Q4.True or False? A maquette is the final sculpture that an artist displays.
To help you plan your 3 art and design lesson on: Sculpture: make a maquette, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 art and design lesson on: Sculpture: make a maquette, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 art and design lessons from the Creature Construction: sculpture unit, dive into the full primary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.