Lesson Plan

• Identify how tone and colour influence perception and hierarchy in technical drawings.
• Apply appropriate material representation techniques (hatching, stippling, gradients) to convey surface properties.
• Demonstrate correct use of cast, form, and ambient shadows to add depth and realism.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of enhancement techniques against a design brief.
• Produce a short sketch integrating tone, colour, material cues, and shadows.

• Projector and screen
• Sketch paper and drawing boards
• Pencils (HB, 2B), coloured pencils/markers
• Ruler, eraser, and sharpeners
• Sample material swatches (wood, metal, plastic)
• Digital drawing tablet (optional)
• Handout of tone, colour, material and shadow guidelines

Show a product rendering that lacks any tonal or shadow detail and ask students what is missing. Recall the previous lesson on basic line drawing and visual communication. Explain that today they will learn how tone, colour, material cues and shadows enhance technical drawings, and success will be demonstrated by producing a sketch that clearly communicates material and form.

1. Do‑now (5'): Examine two sketches (one enhanced, one plain) and note differences.
2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Overview of tone, colour, material representation, and shadow principles with examples.
3. Guided practice (15'): Teacher demonstrates hatching, colour application, and shadow placement on a sample part.
4. Collaborative activity (20'): In pairs, students select a material, apply appropriate techniques to a provided outline, and give peer feedback.
5. Whole‑class critique (5'): Groups share sketches and discuss effectiveness against criteria.
6. Reflection & exit ticket (5'): Students write one improvement they will apply next time.

Recap how tone, colour, material cues and shadows work together to communicate design intent. Students complete an exit ticket describing the most useful technique they tried. Homework: refine the sketch at home and bring a digital version for the next lesson.