This Art and Design scheme of work video introduces pupils to a simple ink and water technique inspired by illustrator Charlie Mackesy.

Using felt tips, water and a soft brush, children will learn how to create drawings with blended, watercolour-style effects. Starting with a light pencil sketch, they’ll draw a memory picture using gestural lines and varied mark-making. They’ll then add water carefully to soften and spread the colour, creating tone and movement.

It is suggested that pupils experiment with colour, line thickness and texture, and use a limited palette—similar to Mackesy’s ink drawings.

The video is part of Kapow Primary’s Year 5 Drawing: Depth, emotion and movement unit. It guides pupils step by step through the technique and supportsself-expression while developing pupils’ control over materials and their understanding of tone, proportion and composition.

See more of our Year 5 Art and Design scheme of work.

Art and Design, Year 5, *Updated* Drawing: Depth, emotion and movement, Lesson 2: Showing emotion through line.