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Year 3

Sketchbook research: insect, animal and bird studies and designs

I can observe and sketch insect, animal, or bird features in my sketchbook.

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New
New
Year 3

Sketchbook research: insect, animal and bird studies and designs

I can observe and sketch insect, animal, or bird features in my sketchbook.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Using organic and geometric shapes for the basic structure creates a more accurate sketch.
  2. Different line styles can be used to create interest in a drawing.
  3. Applying tone and shading can be used to make an observational drawing more realistic.
  4. 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.


To help you plan your year 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...

Use real-life references, photographs, or nature walks to observe insect, animal, and bird features.
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Teacher tip
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Equipment

Colouring pencils

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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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6 Questions

Q1.
What is a sketch?
A coloured artwork
A detailed painting
Correct answer: A rough drawing capturing main features
Q2.
What does texture refer to in art?
Bright colours
Outline of a shape
Correct answer: Surface quality or feel
Q3.
True or False? A sculpture is flat like a painting.
An image in a quiz
True
Correct answer: False
Q4.
How does shading affect a drawing?
It adds colour
It defines the outline
Correct answer: It gives the illusion of depth
Q5.
What should you do before adding details to a sketch?
Add textures immediately
Correct answer: Capture basic forms first
Use lots of colours
Q6.
A sculpture is different from a painting because it can be seen from __________ sides.
An image in a quiz
1
2
Correct answer: All

5 Questions

Q1.
What is the first step in sketching an insect, animal, or bird?
Add detailed textures
Correct answer: Capture the basic form
Colour the sketch
Q2.
How can you add depth to a drawing?
Add more lines
Use bright colours
Correct answer: Use shading techniques
Q3.
What does texture add to a sketch?
Increased size
Patterned effects
Correct answer: Surface quality
Q4.
Why is observation important in sketching?
Correct answer: To capture accurate shapes
To finish quickly
To use more colours
Q5.
Geometric shapes are shapes such as circles, triangles and that have uniform measurements.
Correct Answer: squares, rectangles, hexagons, pentagons, octagons