Sketchbook research: insect, animal and bird studies and designs
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can observe and sketch insect, animal, or bird features in my sketchbook.
Key learning points
- Using organic and geometric shapes for the basic structure creates a more accurate sketch.
- Different line styles can be used to create interest in a drawing.
- Applying tone and shading can be used to make an observational drawing more realistic.
- Using a photograph to draw from helps you to see details and shapes clearly, making it easier to draw accurately.
Keywords
Line - a mark made by a moving point, such as a pencil or brush
Geometric shapes - shapes that have uniform measurements and do not appear in nature
Organic shapes - shapes that do not have straight lines and are found in nature
Tone - how light or dark something is
Shade - drawn marks to show areas of light and dark
Common misconception
Pupils may think that shadows are always black.
Encourage pupils to cast shadows and to look at the tone of the shadow. Observe the tone on different coloured objects. Draw pupils' attention to the fact that shadows are not always black.
Teacher tip
Use real-life references, photographs, or nature walks to observe insect, animal, and bird features.
Equipment
Colouring pencils
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a sketch?
Q2.What does texture refer to in art?
Q3.True or False? A sculpture is flat like a painting.
Q4.How does shading affect a drawing?
Q5.What should you do before adding details to a sketch?
Q6.A sculpture is different from a painting because it can be seen from __________ sides.
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.What is the first step in sketching an insect, animal, or bird?
Q2.How can you add depth to a drawing?
Q3.What does texture add to a sketch?
Q4.Why is observation important in sketching?
Q5.Geometric shapes are shapes such as circles, triangles and that have uniform measurements.
To help you plan your 3 art and design lesson on: Sketchbook research: insect, animal and bird studies and designs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 art and design lesson on: Sketchbook research: insect, animal and bird studies and designs, 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.