Basic Drawing

In Drawing, students will experiment with several different art materials and tools to see what each tool can do best. Students will explore ordinary things around them to become more observant of the structures and meanings of things which can be seen in their home and community. Student work will be their own study of the forms, textures, movements, and patterns of the things that are seen every day.

Each project and each lesson is based on the one before it; so lessons should be completed in the order they are given. Directions should be followed exactly regarding which materials, sizes, and subject matter to use for each project. Each lesson will be a study of a new way of drawing. The examples given will show only the method and materials to be used, never the same subject or size as the project assigned. The examples are never to be copied. An example will only show one way of using the technique described.

By becoming more observant, experimenting with new materials, and exploring a variety of methods, students will continue to grow in artistic skill and enjoyment. Beyond fundamental skills built are various levels of creativity. Each lesson provides room for expressing the technical skill learned in a unique, creative way.

Major Concepts

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Utilize various drawing tools including: pencil, conté, pen, and brush.
• Draw images using various techniques including: crosshatching, contour line, gesture, shading, washes, and texture.
• Demonstrate the illusion of space and depth on a two-dimensional surface with the use of: scale, placement, overlapping, linear perspective, and aerial perspective.
• Illustrate the full value range possible in various drawing tools and use value to define space and images in projects.
• Demonstrate an awareness of line quality that will add to the visual description of subjects in drawings.
• Solve design issues for final images of landscape, interior, still life, animal, and figure drawings. This will be accomplished by arranging images and elements so the viewer will see the meaning or impact you intended.
• Gain clarity and self-confidence in visual decision-making.
• Solve assignment challenges with planning, practice, patience, and the use of techniques introduced in the course.

1 drawing pencil, 2B
1 round watercolor hair brush #10
1 bottle India Ink, black
1 Pilot Varsity Pen, self-contained black ink
2 conté crayons: white, black
1 Art gum eraser
1 white, wax Crayola crayon
40 sheets white drawing paper, 9×12
5 sheets construction paper, 9×12, black
15 sheets grey construction paper, 9×12
Gray charcoal paper
14 large envelopes, 10 x 13
2 sheets white watercolor paper (rough, heavy, stiff)
2 sheets rice paper 9 1/2 x12 (soft, translucent)
25 sheets newsprint, 9×12
1 bottle white glue (obtain locally)