Drawing Glossary

EYFS (Nursery & Reception)

1. Draw
   
   To make marks or pictures using a pencil, crayon, or chalk.
   
2. Mark
   
   A mark is any line, dot, or scribble you make on paper.
   
3. Line
   
   A line is a mark that moves from one point to another. It can be straight, wavy, or curved.
   
4. Shape
   
   A flat space made when lines join together, like a circle or square.
   
5. Colour
   
   Colour is what we see when light hits something. Red, yellow, and blue are colours.
   
6. Big / Small
   
   Big means large; small means little. We use these words to describe size.
   
7. Round
   
   Round means curved like a circle or ball.
   
8. Straight
   
   Straight means a line that doesn’t curve or bend.
   
9. Thick / Thin
   
   Thick lines are wide; thin lines are narrow.
   

Year 1

1. Curved
   
   A line that bends smoothly without sharp angles.
   
2. Wavy
   
   A line that moves up and down like waves.
   
3. Pattern
   
   When shapes, lines, or colours repeat over and over.
   
4. Outline
   
   The outside edge of a shape or drawing.
   
5. Texture
   
   How something looks or feels, like rough or smooth.
   
6. Soft / Hard
   
   Soft marks are light and gentle; hard marks are darker and stronger.
   
7. Shading
   
   Making part of a picture darker to show shadow or depth.

Year 2

1. Shape
   
   A flat, enclosed space, like a circle, triangle, or square.
   
2. Form
   
   A shape that looks 3D, like a cube or sphere.
   
3. Detail
   
   Small parts added to make something more interesting or real.
   
4. Shadow
   
   A dark area made when light is blocked.
   
5. Light / Dark
   
   Light is bright; dark is deep or shaded. Artists use both to create contrast.
   
6. Sketch
   
   A quick, light drawing to plan ideas.
   
7. Mark-Making
   
   Using different lines, dots, or scribbles to create texture or pattern.
   
8. Pressure
   
   How hard or softly you press with your pencil or crayon.

Year 3

1. Composition
   
   How everything is arranged in a picture.
   
2. Proportion
   
   The right size of one part of a drawing compared to another.
   
3. Observation
   
   Looking carefully at something before drawing it.
   
4. Tone
   
   How light or dark an area of a drawing is.
   
5. Highlight
   
   The brightest part of an object where light hits.
   
6. Mid-Tone
   
   A shade that is between light and dark.
   
7. Texture
   
   The look or feel of a surface in a drawing.
   
8. Hatch / Cross-Hatch
   
   Hatch: lines close together. Cross-hatch: lines crossing over each other to show tone.

Year 4

1. Perspective
   
   Making things look like they go back into the distance.
   
2. Scale
   
   How big or small something is in a picture compared to other things.
   
3. Foreground / Background
   
   Foreground is the front; background is the far part behind.
   
4. Blending
   
   Gently mixing colours or shades so they flow smoothly.
   
5. Contrast
   
   The difference between light and dark or bold and soft.
   
6. Accuracy
   
   Drawing something carefully and correctly.
   
7. Smudge
   
   Rubbing pencil or charcoal to soften edges or create shadow.
   
8. Refine
   
   To improve and add small details to a drawing.

Year 5

1. Viewpoint
   
   The angle you see something from (above, side, front).
   
2. Horizon
   
   The line where the sky meets the ground.
   
3. Vanishing Point
   
   A spot on the horizon where lines seem to meet in the distance.
   
4. Proportion
   
   The right size and position of one part of a drawing to another.
   
5. Tonal Value
   
   The range from light to dark in a drawing.
   
6. Gradation
   
   When colour or tone changes slowly from light to dark.
   
7. Texture
   
   How something looks like it would feel in real life.
   
8. Emphasis
   
   Making something stand out in a picture.
   
9. Focal Point
   
   The most important part of the picture that draws your eye.

Year 6

1. Composition
   
   How every part of a picture is arranged to create balance or drama.
   
2. Perspective
   
   Making objects look smaller as they get further away.
   
3. Tonal Range
   
   Using light, mid, and dark tones to add depth and contrast.
   
4. Intricate
   
   Something very detailed and carefully done.
   
5. Subtle
   
   A gentle or soft change in colour, tone, or line.
   
6. Expressive
   
   Showing feelings or mood through drawing.
   
7. Scale
   
   The size of one object compared to others in the picture.
   
8. Depth
   
   Making a picture look like it has space going back or forward.
   
9. Observation
   
   Looking very closely to capture details.
   
10. Rendering
    
    Adding tone, texture, and detail to make something look realistic.
    
11. Form
    
    The 3D shape of an object.
    
12. Visual Language
    
    Telling a story or sharing an idea through images instead of words