Researching the urban environment
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can create observational sketches of urban environments and use annotations to support my artistic ideas.
Key learning points
- Urban environments offer a rich source of visual inspiration for artists.
- Visual research involves observing, sketching, and annotating ideas from the world around us.
- Textures, patterns, and shapes can be used to communicate the look and feel of urban spaces.
- Drawing from observation helps develop attention to detail.
Keywords
Urban - relating to a city or town; often busy, built-up areas with lots of human activity
Observation - the process of looking closely at something to notice details for recording in drawing
Texture - how something feels when it is touched
Annotation - notes added to sketches to explain ideas, describe textures, or record thoughts
Inspiration - the process of being mentally stimulated by something to create new ideas
Common misconception
Urban art is just graffiti or vandalism.
Urban art includes many creative and meaningful responses to city life - from murals and installations to Fine Art inspired by architecture. It can be legal, expressive, and community-based.
Teacher tip
Model how to break down complex urban imagery into simple shapes to build pupil confidence - remind pupils it’s about exploring ideas, not making perfect drawings.
Equipment
Pencils, erasers, fine liners. Colour pencils or crayons. Printed/digital images of urban environments and artworks.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Public spaces are important in urban design because it gives people a place to ...
Q2.Which of these is not usually part of a well-designed urban environment?
Q3.What is the main purpose of urban design?
Q4.What does the drawing technique “perspective” help us do?
Q5.A drawing is when both sides are the same or very similar.
Q6.Match the word to its correct meaning.
the process of planning and shaping cities, towns, and public spaces
an artistic image that shows the buildings and features of a city
areas in a city open and accessible to everyone, like parks and plazas
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which element is not typically considered in urban design?
Q2.Observational drawing is when you at something real and draw what you see.
Q3.Which statement best describes what urban design includes?
Q4.Which area would most likely be described as urban?
Q5.Which of the following are correct?
Q6.How can you define texture in art?
To help you plan your 6 art and design lesson on: Researching the urban environment, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 art and design lesson on: Researching the urban environment, 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 Urban Life: Drawing and design unit, dive into the full primary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.