Observational Drawing

How to draw gourds and pumpkins?

What are we going to learn from this lesson?

1. What is an observation drawing?
2. How to construct a shape?

3. How to use directional lines when drawing from observation?
4. How to use a pencil to check proportions?
5. How to apply shading to an object by using different media?

Students learn to construct, shade and add colors and value to an object that they draw by observing.

Observational Drawing is when an artist observes something and responds to it with a visual representation

Answer the following Essential questions:

1. Why is drawing from direct observation so different than drawing from a photograph?

2. What is an image?

3. How can I improve my still life drawing?

Still life with pencil

Assignment 1 continues to build the slide.

Composition:

Overlapping
Crop out
Off-center
Rotation

1. One picture of gourds/pumpkins in pencil drawing without adding shades.

Not Overlaping

Overlapping

Overlapping

2. One picture of added shading to create highlights and shadows. Crop the picture for an interesting composition

Crop Out

Art Tutor: Apply a grid to your photograph.

http://www.griddrawingtool.com/Step1.aspx

Composition:
with overlapping objects and crop out

How to sketch a pumpkin?

http://www.griddrawingtool.com/Step5.aspx

Pumpkin sketch: Ellipses Top and Oval body

From Ms. Carbone

Oil Pastel Pumpkin

Oil Pastel Practice

Step 1. Composition
What is a good composition for a picture?
1. Overlapping creates space:
Overlap: Place objects slightly over one another. This will get the eye to move from one element to another. Objects should not be touching each other's edges (no kissing allowed). Avoid isolation. Build a relationship between the objects.

2. Crop: Consider having objects go off the edge of the page. This gets the viewer in and out of the picture. Avoid floating objects within the edges of the paper.

3.Rotate: Consider placing objects at an angle. Things that are tilted create a more interesting composition. Artwork with objects that are perfectly lined up with the edge of the paper,tends to be boring.

4. Focal Point Create an area of importance. Give the viewer something to focus on. One way to achieve this is through size variation. Try not to have all elements the same size. Another way is through color dominance.

5.Off-Center: Avoid placing objects directly in the center of the page. Think about placing objects slightly to one side. This will create a more interesting composition. (this does not mean that asymmetrical design can not be successful)

Step 2 - Angles: The detailed step used to create a likeness of the object by noticing angles in the negative space (background). Focusing on the details by drawing the angles

Step 3 - Value: Add shading/cast shadow to show 3 D effects by creating highlights and shadows on the objects

Student Example

Techniques and Tips to Improve your Drawing Skills

Shading With 5 or more Different Value to improve your drawing.

Types of shading

Assignment 3- Continue to build the google slide
1. Take one picture of Gourds in Watercolor in a LIGHT value- wet on wet
2. Take one picture of Gourd s in Watercolor in a DARK value
3. One picture of finished art work

Values are a range of tones that span from pure white to pure black. In watercolor painting, the water-to paint ratio creates the value range. The more water added to the paint, the lighter the value.

Coloring Steps:

1. Identified and save the white spots unpainted.

2. Start with the lightest values on each gourd

gourd by using Wet on Dry technique.

3. Gradually build to the medium colors- using

mixing color techniques for various tones.(

Wet on Wet technique)

4. Add more details by using Wet on Dry

technique.

5. Finish a placemat and wall using cool colors-

using mixing color techniques for various tones.

6. Add a cast shadow- from dark value to light

value.

Assignment 4- Continue to build Google slide

Gourd in Oil pastels-

1. Take  TWO pictures of gradually adding

layers by using blending and color mixing

techniques

2. One picture of finished artwork ( oil pastel)

3. One picture of three- medium- artworks.

Glue Three  finished artworks together in one

black piece paper