Toy Box Project

The Toy Box – illustration and storytelling An exciting project set exclusively for the pupils of Bridge & Patrixbourne Primary School‌ Have you ever wondered what might happen if the toys in your toy box came to life?

This project will allow you to practise your observational drawing skills as well as allow your imagination to run wild through creative writing. You will first unearth inspiration from your toy box, draw your characters, then write about their adventures as they come to life in your mind.

Email your work to: caroline.smith@bridge.kent.sch.uk and we will share it our school blog!

Please use any art media that you have at home – I have used paint and colour pencils.

Start with inspiration from your (or your sibling’s) toybox.

Step 1: Find some characters in your toybox that you would like to draw.

If you are drawing Lego, the following video may help you to draw cubes and give depth to your drawing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waM1YFSMt8A

Step 2: On an A4 or A3 piece of paper, look carefully at your object and sketch your toy lightly with graphite pencil.

Use light lines which can rubbed out if not correct.

Step 3: Once you have lightly sketched your toy, go over your correct sketched lines with a darker pencil line (slightly more pressure).

Rub out any incorrect lines that you do not want.

Step 4: Paint, (if you have one) use a fine brush for the edges and small areas.

If you have different shades of a colour, use the darker one where there are shadows. Look at the different tones (light and dark) within the object.

Step 5: adding colour pencil.

Add colour pencil to your painting if you wish.

Use it to add details that needs accuracy; sharpen up lines; brighten up colours; use lines to emphasise shape (straight or curved); add darker and lighter tones (highlights and shadows).

I have used a dark green and blue to add darker tones/ shadows and a white pencil to add light tones and highlights.

Using colour pencils only?

Do look at the shadow and highlights within your object. You can create darker tones of a colour by adding more pressure to your pencil. Lighter tones by pressing less hard.

Do use other similar colours to represent different tones. Here I have used red, but added orange as a mid tone. I have used green and blue to make darker tones and to outline some areas.

Avoid using black.

If this is all too much for you – just colour in!

I do not want to put you off!

Step 6: Draw as many toys as you can fit on your page and paint a background if you wish. Now, it’s time to create your story. Let your imagination go wild…………………

We would love to see your work. Please email your work to: caroline.smith@bridge.kent.sch.uk and we will share it our school blog!

Key Stage 1 Writing Ideas: Imagine your toys have come to life! Write a short story about their adventures.

Think about: How do your toys come to life?

Where do your toys come to life? Where do they go on their adventure?

What problem do they come across?

Write your story from the most exciting part.

Remember to use your best handwriting.

Check capital letters and full stops.

Have fun!

Key Stage 2 Writing Ideas: Plan and write an adventure story for the toys you have drawn. You could use the Story Mountain to help you structure your ideas before you begin writing:

Some ideas of the adventures your toys may encounter:

• An exploration of a room around the house – maybe going for a drive on the hoover or ice-skating in the freezer?!

• Being chased around the house by a pet much larger than the toys are!

• Getting lost on a daytrip out to the beach or the supermarket.

• A day out at the garage sale – which new home might the toys end up in?

Remember to make your writing descriptive in order to build a vivid image in the reader’s mind. You could use some of the ideas in the word bank below to make your writing even more interesting:

Once you have finished writing your story, read it aloud to someone at home to check for any missing punctuation.

Use your best handwriting and check any spellings you are unsure of.

Have fun and don’t forget to share your creations. We look forward to seeing your amazing work!

Please share your work. Email it to: caroline.smith@bridge.kent.sch.uk