This Art and design scheme of work video introduces pupils to drawing with charcoal, helping them explore mark-making, shading and scale.

Pupils begin by learning that charcoal is made from burnt wood, often from a willow tree. They use it to create a large version of their animal drawing by starting with basic shapes through scaling.

Next, they crush a small piece of charcoal inside a paper towel to make a rough powder. This is gently sprinkled over the page and wiped with another paper towel to create a soft, textured background.

Using a stick of charcoal, pupils redraw the outlines of their animal. Pressing harder or layering lines helps create thicker, bolder marks. Larger areas can be shaded quickly by using the side of the charcoal stick. Blending can be done with fingers or paper towels, and pupils are encouraged to add surface detail such as dots or lines to bring their drawings to life.

This video is part of Kapow Primary’s Year 3 Prehistoric painting unit. It supports children in using charcoal with confidence, exploring texture, line and tone in a creative way.

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

Art and design, Year 3, Painting and mixed media: Prehistoric painting, Lesson 2: Charcoal animals.