Weeks 1 & 2: Lines, Shapes, Patterns, Proportions

So nice to be back with the SLV crew! And wonderful to see new faces, too! Everyone jumped in and started learning about measuring accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes). We also learned about holding the pencil on its side and using the whole arm while drawing. Warm-ups by Josh (upper left) and Tyler (upper right).

As they looked at reference lesson pictures, students got into drawing with lines and shapes and learning about proportions. Ricky's sketch of the toucan (above, left) shows his accurate eye for proportions. Sage's crab (upper left) and Tory's toucan (upper right) are great examples of drawing accurate proportions.






  Students also learned the importance of sketching light guidelines and drawing on top of mistakes. Joe's sketch of the tiger (upper left) shows how he sketched guidelines before finishing with darker outlines. Mark's puffer fish shows his changes to the shape of its body while drawing over his mistakes.

We started pushing to the next level of observational drawing: showing depth and 3D form.  Kayla overlapped the front legs of the frog to show depth in her drawing, and Sara's jaguar shows the form of the jaguar.

Check out Sara's (upper left) and Emily's (upper right) and other students' drawings in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn.

Click 'Read more' below to view everyone's sketches and reference pictures...

Joe
Overall, this set of drawings shows very accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) and confident line work. Keep it going! Check out Getting into the Zone.

 

Kayla

With each new drawing your proportions became more accurate and you gained more control of your line work, especially in your jaguar and lizard drawings. Keep practicing sketching light guidelines for the shapes of things before finishing with darker outlines. Check out Getting into the Zone.

Tory

I know that holding the pencil on its side was a challenge but you got control of your line work to pull together a set of excellent drawings. Check out Getting into the Zone.

Sage

Excellent drawings, Sage! You nailed down accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) and did a wonderful job of adding patterns to the jaguar and lizard. The lighter and darker tones are a nice touch. Check out Getting into the Zone.

Tyler

You've got an eye for accurate proportions, man! It really shows in the tiger and jaguar drawings. Keep practicing loosening up your line work with freer, bigger pencil strokes; keep the guidelines light, before finishing with darker outlines. Check out Getting into the Zone.

Mark

Great start in drawing with lines and shapes! Your proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) got more accurate as the lessons got more challenging, especially the sketch that forms the jaguar. Check out Getting into the Zone.

Sara

Your eye for accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) improved with each new sketch, especially the jaguar! Keep practicing sketching light guidelines for the shapes of things before finishing with darker outlines. Check out Getting into the Zone.

Nathan

Great set of sketches! As you gained control of holding your pencil on its side, your line work improved dramatically. The proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) of the toucan and lizard are very well drawn. Check out Getting into the Zone.

Gabriella

Excellent start in drawing with lines and shapes, Gabriella! Each new sketch shows more confidence in your line work and an improved eye for proportion (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes). The lighter and darker tones on the toucan are a nice touch. :-) Keep practicing sketching light guidelines for the shapes of things; then finish with darker outlines. Check out Getting into the Zone.

Gia

Holding the pencil on its side was a challenge for you. But as you got the hang of it, your proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) improved steadily--especially the toucan! Excellent how you drew BIG on the paper! Keep working on sketching light guidelines for the basic shapes; then finishing with darker outlines. Check out Getting into the Zone.

Josh

Your pencil line work shows more and more confidence with each new sketch! Great job of overlapping the frog's legs to show depth in your drawing. Keep practicing sketching light guidelines for the shapes of things before adding darker outlines. Check out Getting into the Zone.

Jay

Great start in drawing with lines and shapes, Jay! Really like how you sketched guidelines for the shapes of the crab; then drew darker outlines to finish. Keep practicing holding the pencil on its side and using bigger, freer line work. Nice proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) on the frog and toucan. Check out Getting into the Zone.

Lesson Reference Pictures