This Art and design scheme of work video helps pupils explore Ancient Egyptian art by looking closely at its colours, patterns and imagery, then responding creatively in their sketchbooks.

To make their observational drawings feel more authentic, pupils begin by transforming the white pages of their sketchbooks to resemble papyrus. The video shows four different ways to do this, including applying a colour wash or staining the page with tea or coffee. Pupils can combine techniques to create varied, interesting backgrounds. Once dry, they study examples of Ancient Egyptian art and select patterns, images or colours that stand out to them. They begin drawing onto their prepared pages using materials like pastels, chalk or pencils. The video encourages experimentation such as changing scale, overlapping shapes, and using different surfaces to see how each one affects the final result.

This video is part of Kapow Primary’s Year 3 Ancient Egyptian scrolls.

See more of our Year 3 Art and design scheme of work.

Art and design, Year 3, Craft and design: Ancient Egyptian scrolls, Lesson 1: Exploring Ancient Egyptian art.