United Kingdom · National Curriculum Attainment Targets
Year 3 Art and Design
This course introduces Year 3 pupils to the fundamental elements of art through hands-on practice and historical inquiry. Students develop proficiency in drawing, painting, and sculpture while exploring the works of significant artists and designers.
01The Power of Line and Texture
Students explore how different marks can create the illusion of texture and surface in two-dimensional drawings.
Investigating the range of marks possible with different pencil grades and charcoal to express various qualities.
Using observational drawing to capture the intricate details of shells, leaves, and bark, focusing on tactile qualities.
Exploring the technique of frottage to discover and capture hidden patterns and textures from various surfaces in the school environment.
Practicing quick, expressive drawing techniques to capture movement and energy, focusing on gesture and contour lines.
Investigating how the space around and within objects contributes to the overall composition of a drawing.
Learning the basic principle of overlapping to create the illusion of depth and distance in two-dimensional artwork.
Experimenting with different materials to create collages that emphasize varied textures and surfaces.
02Colour Theory and Mood
An investigation into the science and emotion of colour through painting and mixing.
Mastering the creation of a full spectrum from a limited palette of primary colours and understanding their relationships.
Exploring how temperature in colour affects the viewer's emotional response and perception of a landscape or scene.
Studying the techniques of Monet and Renoir to understand how small dabs of colour create the illusion of light and movement.
Learning to create tints (adding white), tones (adding grey), and shades (adding black) to expand a colour palette and create depth.
Investigating how complementary colours create strong visual contrast and vibrancy when placed next to each other.
Experimenting with different colour combinations to evoke specific emotions and moods in abstract paintings.
Observing and documenting the diverse range of colours found in natural objects and landscapes.
03Form and Space in Sculpture
Moving from the page into the physical world by manipulating clay and found materials.
Learning basic ceramic techniques like coiling and pinching to create functional and decorative three-dimensional forms.
Creating sculptures using recycled and found materials, inspired by modern installation art and the concept of transformation.
Exploring art that sits between two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms by carving, modeling, and building up surfaces.
Experimenting with paper as a sculptural medium, using techniques like folding, cutting, and scoring to create three-dimensional forms.
Designing and constructing mobiles and simple kinetic sculptures that explore balance, movement, and air currents.
Creating temporary sculptures using natural materials found outdoors, focusing on organic forms and environmental art.
Exploring examples of public art and statues, discussing their purpose, location, and impact on a community.
Developing fine motor skills and understanding 3D form through hands-on manipulation of soft modelling materials.
04The History of Pattern
Discovering how different cultures use repetition and symmetry in art and design.
Investigating the mathematical beauty and symbolism of repeating geometric patterns in Islamic art and architecture.
Exploring the vibrant colours, symbols, and storytelling found in West African fabric designs and their cultural significance.
Looking at the Arts and Crafts movement and William Morris's use of botanical motifs, focusing on simplification and repetition.
Understanding the concepts of symmetry and asymmetry and how they are used to create balance and visual interest in patterns.
Learning basic printmaking techniques using block printing and stencils to create repeating patterns on paper or fabric.
Observing and drawing patterns found in nature, such as spirals in shells, branching trees, and the repetition in leaves.
Exploring how shapes can fit together perfectly without gaps or overlaps to create tessellating patterns, inspired by M.C. Escher.
05Portraiture and Identity
Studying the human face and how artists express personality through portraiture.
Learning the mathematical guidelines and common ratios for placing features correctly on a human head.
Using mirrors and personal symbols to create a self-portrait that reflects individual personality and identity.
Exploring how artists like Picasso or Daumier exaggerated features for effect, focusing on caricature and stylization.
Practicing drawing various facial expressions to understand how subtle changes in features convey emotions.
Investigating how different cultures and historical periods have approached portraiture, from ancient Egyptian profiles to tribal masks.
Exploring how the direction of a subject's gaze in a portrait can engage the viewer and convey meaning.
Focusing on techniques for rendering different hair textures and folds in clothing to add realism and character to portraits.
06The Art of the Story
Examining how art can be used to tell a narrative, from ancient scrolls to modern comics.
Researching the first human stories told through pigment on stone, understanding their purpose and techniques.
Breaking a story down into a series of visual frames, understanding how images create narrative flow.
Curating and presenting a collection of artwork created throughout the year, focusing on display and critique.
Creating illustrations for traditional folk tales or myths, focusing on character design and setting the scene.
Designing and illustrating a short wordless picture book, relying solely on images to tell a coherent story.
Exploring how art has been used throughout history to convey messages, persuade, or influence opinions.
Investigating the elements of comics, including panels, speech bubbles, and visual storytelling techniques.