Make a tonal study of a robot sculpture
I can create a tonal study of a sculpture.
Make a tonal study of a robot sculpture
I can create a tonal study of a sculpture.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Creating a tonal study involves sketching lightly and using shading techniques, like cross-hatching.
- Cross-hatching is a shading technique where you draw lines in one direction, then add another set crossing over them.
- Overlapping objects, varying height, and adding background elements make a composition more engaging.
Keywords
Sketch/sketching - making quick and simple drawings to show ideas or the things we see
Shade/shading - drawn marks to show areas of light and dark
Tone - how light or dark something is
Cross-hatching - drawing lines that cross over each other and are placed close together
Composition - is the combination of a selection of elements arranged and organised
Common misconception
Some children might think cross-hatching is just drawing straight lines to create shading.
Show pupils different examples of cross-hatching and allow time to practise other shading techniques.
To help you plan your year 3 art and design lesson on: Make a tonal study of a robot sculpture, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 3 art and design lesson on: Make a tonal study of a robot sculpture, 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 Recycled robots: drawing and sculpture unit, dive into the full secondary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Equipment
robot sculptures, mark-making media
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions




making small changes to improve a piece of art
the process of converting waste into reusable material
a reason for doing something
Exit quiz
6 Questions

how light or dark something is
drawn marks to show areas of light and dark
making quick and simple drawings to show ideas or the things we see
drawing lines that cross over each other and placed closely together
is the combination of a selection of elements arranged and organised