Year 3 Art Resources and Lesson Plans
Explore creative Year 3 Art resources, lesson plans and schemes of work designed to support the KS2 Art and Design curriculum. Discover ready-to-teach Year 3 Art ideas and activities that help children develop their skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, printing and other creative techniques, while using sketchbooks to develop ideas and exploring the work of a range of artists, architects and designers.
Popular Year 3 Art Schemes of Work:
What should children learn in Year 3 Art?
Year 3 Art marks the start of KS2, when children begin to develop greater control, independence and confidence in their artistic choices. They should build on earlier experiences with drawing, painting, sculpture and other media, use sketchbooks more purposefully and explore how artists, architects and designers develop ideas and techniques.
Develop drawing and observation skills
Encourage children to draw from observation and imagination using a wider range of media, developing greater accuracy and control while exploring line, shape, tone, texture, proportion and detail.
Build painting and colour skills
Give children opportunities to mix and apply colour with increasing control, experiment with different brushes and techniques, and explore how colour, tone and texture can be used to create particular effects.
Use sketchbooks and explore materials
Encourage children to use sketchbooks to record observations, practise techniques and develop ideas, while experimenting with sculpture, printing, collage, textiles and other materials and processes.
Explore artists and develop ideas
Introduce children to a diverse range of artists, architects and designers, encouraging them to discuss techniques, styles and ideas and use what they discover to inform and refine their own creative work.
Explore our Year 3 Art Resources
Browse our complete collection of Year 3 Art lesson plans, schemes of work and resources. Discover creative Year 3 Art projects covering drawing, painting, sculpture, printing, colour, pattern, texture and a diverse range of artists, with ready-to-teach lessons and activities designed to develop children’s artistic skills, encourage creative thinking and support the KS2 Art and Design curriculum.
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Planning Year 3 Art
When planning Art in Year 3, build on the skills children developed at KS1 by giving them opportunities to work with increasing control, independence and creativity. Drawing, painting, printing, collage, sculpture and other practical Year 3 Art activities can help children develop their understanding of colour, line, shape, pattern, texture, tone and form while experimenting with a wider range of materials and techniques.
Encourage children to use sketchbooks to record observations, practise techniques, explore ideas and develop their artwork over time. Introduce a diverse range of artists, architects and designers, giving children opportunities to discuss their work and use different styles, techniques and ideas as inspiration. Revisiting skills across different Year 3 Art projects helps children refine their techniques, make increasingly purposeful creative choices and build a strong foundation for the KS2 Art and Design curriculum.
Planning Art for your whole school? Explore our Art Curriculum Packs →Frequently Asked Questions about Year 3 Art
What Art is taught in Year 3?
Year 3 Art is taught as part of the KS2 Art and Design curriculum. Children should develop their skills in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques. They should also use sketchbooks to record observations and develop ideas, and learn about a range of artists, architects and designers.
What are some good Year 3 Art topics?
Good Year 3 Art topics give children opportunities to practise techniques while producing creative work of their own. Popular Year 3 Art ideas include portraits, landscapes, nature, pattern, sculpture, printing and projects inspired by famous artists. Art can also link effectively with other curriculum topics, such as Stone Age Art.
What drawing skills should Year 3 children develop?
In Year 3, children can develop greater control and accuracy when drawing from observation and imagination. They can explore line, shape, tone, texture, pattern and proportion, experiment with different drawing media and begin to make more purposeful choices about the techniques they use.
Should Year 3 children use sketchbooks?
Yes. The KS2 Art and Design curriculum specifically includes using sketchbooks to record observations and review and revisit ideas. In Year 3, children can use sketchbooks to practise techniques, collect visual ideas, experiment with materials, make annotations and develop their ideas before creating finished artwork.
Which artists should children learn about in Year 3?
There is no prescribed list of artists that must be taught in Year 3. Children should encounter a range of great artists, architects and designers in history. Schools can therefore choose artists that complement their Year 3 Art projects while ensuring children experience different styles, periods, cultures and artistic traditions.
What materials and techniques can be used in Year 3 Art?
Year 3 Art activities can involve pencils, charcoal, pastels, paint, printing materials, clay, collage, textiles and mixed media. Children should have opportunities to experiment with materials and techniques before applying what they have learnt to increasingly purposeful pieces of artwork.
How is Year 3 Art different from KS1 Art?
In Year 3, children build on the exploratory Art experiences of Years 1 and 2 and begin to work with greater control and independence. There is more emphasis on developing and refining techniques, recording and revisiting ideas in sketchbooks, making purposeful artistic choices and learning how artists, architects and designers can influence their own work.
Where can I find Year 3 Art lesson plans and activities?
PlanBee's Year 3 Art resources include ready-to-teach lesson plans, schemes of work and creative activities covering a range of artists, materials, techniques and Art projects. Each scheme provides the resources needed to help teachers plan and deliver engaging Year 3 Art lessons while supporting progression through the KS2 Art and Design curriculum.
