Observational Drawing using Pencil
Try some different methods to help you really “see” what you are trying to draw.
SCHOOL:Mountain View Elementary School
TEACHING ARTIST: Martha Worthley
GRADE LEVEL: 3-5 grade
Lesson: Students use three different drawing techniques to observe an object (in this case, a stuffed animal) and create a realistic rendering.
Target learning: Recognizes the difference between 2D shape and 3D form
Criteria: While looking at an object, makes marks on paper with pencil that represent the object’s shape.
Target learning: Makes an accurate observational drawing
Criteria: Uses line to create details; uses texture in two-dimensional work
Target learning: Understands the concept of color values
Criteria: Identifies and makes light, dark and middle values using pencil based on colors observed in an object.
Target learning: Identifies and uses the spatial concept of positive/negative space.
Criteria: Looks at the object and the spaces in between its parts or sections to check for accuracy when drawing.
Vocabulary (click here for the glossary)
shadow shape
form
outline or contour
line
texture
pattern
color value
negative space
Resources
A collection of small stuffed animals-6-12 inches in height, 1 for each student
Book: “Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain” by Betty Edwards
Materials
Pencils without erasers
White paper
Resources introduced and creative process:
Project Outline:
Project outline:
Students draw a series of stuffed animals using three specific techniques with pencil on paper. Teacher demonstrates all three steps first. Each drawing done by the teacher is displayed alongside the stuffed animal depicted.
1st drawing: Create a large shadow shape by squinting and capturing in quick strokes of the pencil a solid form that reproduces only the outside shape, no interior detail. Students recognize that the “weird” shadow shape is representative of the animal’s form- similar to a person’s shadow when walking on a sunny day.
Those who have difficulty seeing the shadow shape and drawing it are given individual attention. Once this concept is demonstrated and understood, student observation shifts. They are able to “see” how to begin drawing the 2-dimensional shape which represents the 3-dimensional object.
2nd drawing: With a single, continuous line, draw only the outline of the form. This kind of drawing is called a contour drawing. Contour is “the outline of a figure or body; the edge or line that defines or bounds a shape or object.”
Use careful observation and notice negative shapes between forms to help capture an accurate outline. Sometimes it is easier to focus on these negative shapes that the brain can’t really recognize and draw them. It’s a trick for the brain, causing it to stop interfering with the “real” seeing.
Make 3 contour drawings.
By asking students to try the contour drawing more than once, students begin to understand how practice and repetition of a process helps them to achieve better work.
Students assess their progress, make changes in their approach to the next drawing, or decide what worked and keep it. The process of contrasting and comparing is an important self assessment tool for an artist.
3rd drawing: Begin with a contour drawing, then add interior lines that help to define details within the stuffed animal. Add texture by using the side of the pencil, or many short strokes to create the feeling of fur. Add details such as eyes, paws, noses whiskers and pattern on clothing. Look at light and dark areas –color values- such as beige fur or red pants, and translate them with light or dark pencil marks. Light gray or white represents a light color dark gray or black represents a dark color.
Fill the shape in so that it begins to feel like a solid object, creating a form.
By the time students work on the last drawing, they have observed the same stuffed animal for a significant amount of time. They are excited to add details and see their drawing on paper begin to come to life.
Assessment
Student Guidelines
The stuffed animal is drawn from observation.
3 different types of drawing are accomplished-shadow shape, contour drawing, and a drawing filled with details, including texture.
The student’s drawing records his observation of a detailed shape with an accurate contour, or outline.
The student has contrasted and compared his drawings to decide what looks the most accurate.
The 3rd drawing includes details such as the texture of the animal, wrinkles in clothing, pattern of fabric, whiskers, etc.
The lightness or darkness of the pencil marks and texture represents color values.
Essential learnings
Arts 1.1.1-Elements: line. shape / form, texture, color, space, value
Uses line to create shapes
Identifies actual shapes and textures
Recognizes the relationship between 2D shape and 3D form (e.g., circle/sphere)
Identifies and makes light, dark, and middle values
Identifies and uses the spatial concepts of positive/negative space