SLV Sketchers

Please Visit Our New Website!

2011-06-17T08:34:00.000-07:00

To see the latest student drawings from the SLV Sketchers as well as our new Scribbles Institute drawing studio at 303 Potrero #59 Santa Cruz, California 831.421.0774:
Drawing League schools and student work: Click here
Our new website: Click here

What Do You Want to Draw Today?

Weeks 7-10: Form, Contours, Tonal Values, Positive/Negative Space, Perspective... and beyond!

2011-01-06T21:50:00.000-08:00

Whole lot of creative energy flowing from the Highland School art room lately! We worked on study sketches showing the roundness and contours of veggies and various objects, while aiming for accurate proportions. And we got into using large format paper and charcoal while studying texture, light, and shadows. Students are also working on their own projects, such as Matt (shown above), inking the final touches on his custom skate deck.

Contour drawings of pumpkins by Kayla (upper left), Shaylah (upper right), Koa (lower left), and Emily (lower right)

Students also used positive/negative space along with lighter and darker tonal values to draw an aloe plant. Upper left is Mark's study sketch; upper right is Sara's study; lower left is Joe's tonal drawing; and lower right is Emily's final sketch.

Above left is Gabriella's study of the texture of corn and a pumpkin. Above right is Sage's 2-point perspective drawing of buildings.

Click 'Read more' below to view everyone's drawings and Rob's comments...

Koa

The contour drawing of the pumpkin was a big step for you in drawing from real life. Great job on the curved contours and REALLY cool how you did a version in your abstract style, too. Your observational drawing is improving with each sketch you make.

Angel

Drawing the pumpkin from observation was a challenge for you, but you pulled together a few awesome studies that show the pumpkin's curved contours. I know you made a lot of sketches to get to these three. Keep practicing making lots of study sketches, and drawing things that you're looking at will get easier.

Matt

Your confidence in looking at things and sketching them quickly has been improving over the months. These sketches show your own bold artistic style--a great foundation upon which to build your future in design/illustration. :-)

Gabriella

I'm seeing so much creative potential flowing out onto the paper with these sketches. Your observational skills have improved dramatically during the past weeks. You're beginning to focus your energy on creating artistic compositions--keep it going! Cool large-format charcoal fish. :-)

Kayla

Amazing progress, Kayla!! Really, REALLY nice contour study sketches. You nailed down accurate proportions and realistic edges of the pumpkins. Your confidence in your line work is beginning to show your artistic style. I think your real inner artist is about to bust out in your artwork! Awesome texture study of the shell and large-scale charcoal drawings of the iron.

Sara

Wonderful start on the contour tonal drawing of the aloe plant. Maybe you can finish it sometime. :-)

Shaylah

Just so cool to see you sit down at the table and draw. You've put together a great routine of measuring proportions, finding the edges of things, then sketching contour lines to finish. The pumpkins and shell show your confidence. And your work from your imagination balances out your skills nicely--you're one of the original SLV Sketchers!

Sage

I can see, both in your drawings and working with you, that you definitely have lots of powerful creative energy waiting to be unleashed. This set of drawing show your focus on learning new skills. REALLY like your contour study of the pumpkin and the large-scale charcoal drawing--cool shading. You've got to keep drawing your creativity out onto the paper. Also, NICE 2-point perspective drawings!

Zach

Of course, the Zach-style interpretation of a pumpkin. Coolness!

Tory

Hey man, where have you been lately? We've got to get you back into the drawing Zone. You really do have a unique art style that we can develop during the weeks ahead. Nice start on the aloe plant.

Mark

You like to sketch fast. As you've been doing a lot of quick studies over the weeks, you're developing an accurate way of recording information about things, like the pumpkin. Let's keep working on developing this quick-sketch technique. And the large-format charcoal fish... is... WONDERFUL, man! You really worked the charcoal around on the paper to create really cool tones and textures. And your line work came to life!

Joe

Tight line work is your style. And this tonal sketch of the aloe plant is a great example of clean contour line work and accurate proportions. Hope to see you more in class so you can develop some of your own projects.

Emily

And then... there's Emily. Your drawing skills and imagination never cease to amaze. Always nice to see you sketch with such ease and pleasure. Whether it's a doodle or a complex composition, it's fun to see what you'll come up with next. Draw on!

Weeks 3-6: Contours, Form, Positive/Negative Space, Proportion, and Getting Abstract

2010-11-08T11:23:00.000-08:00

Using artwork by artists such as Kandinsky and Mondrian we worked with lines, shapes and patterns to create abstract drawings. Scroll down to view everyone's drawings.

Abstract compositions (shown clockwise, starting upper left) by Kayla, Koa, Zach, Tyler

Students also began drawing realistic form and contour edges. Kayla's dragonfly (upper left) shows how she started with guidelines for accurate proportions of the wings and body. Sage's dragonfly (upper right) shows how she added contour lines for the edges of the wings and body.

Sara's wolf (upper left) shows how she began with basic shapes of the wolf's body. Joe's drawing shows natural looking contour edges of the wolf's fur and muscles.

Dave's study sketch of the egret (upper left) shows how he used guidelines as he drew the negative space around the bird's head, neck, and body. His final drawing (upper right) shows lighter and darker tones for details.

Emily laid down bold designs, colors, and tones to try new directions with lines and shapes. View her new drawings in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn: Click here

The past couple of weeks Angel has been really focused in his work and made big breakthroughs with his drawing of the tiger (shown above). Accurate proportions, controlled line work, and shading make for a powerful composition.

Click 'Read more' below to view everyone's drawings....

Tory

You put together your skills and expressive line work for a set of balanced imaginative compositions! You're so ready for the next stage of drawing: realism

Zach

Your work is moving in a solid direction for a series of abstract compositions. Keep building on this direction. Possibly try a series that adds figures to the intricate, controlled chaos. :-)

Koa

Intensely, wonderfully abstract line work! Would like to see you develop more abstract compositions, perhaps a series of drawings. Great effort in sketching the negative space around the egret--big step toward drawing realistically! The lighter and darker tones are a nice touch.

Nick

These are really tight compositions! Looks like you've gained a lot more control of your line work over the months. :-) Create more!

Gia

Your lines and shapes keep showing more and more confidence in your skills. Let's keep working on sketching light guidelines before finishing with darker outlines. Powerful abstract composition. Keep it going!

Tyler

Really like how you used freer, more expressive lines and shapes in your abstract work. Excellent work in drawing accurate proportions of the dragonfly. Maybe you can build out a series of drawings of cars and trucks.

Gabriella

The egret was a major step for you in drawing realistically! It shows a great balance with your abstract compositions. Keep building your observational skills along with drawing from your imagination--your inner artist is starting to show in your work.

Joe

Nice drawing! Don't forget to view your drawing in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn: Click here Maybe you can create a series of drawings based on your Native American roots.

Dave

BIG-time improvements in your sketching skills, Dave! Really like how you kept sketching until you found the shapes of the negative space around the egret's body. The lighter and darker tones add a lot of interest to your composition. Erasing out the highlights on the egret's neck is a nice touch.

Sara

You've got an natural artistic balance between drawing from observation and from your imagination. Overall, the proportions of the dragonfly and wolf are very well drawn. And your abstract sketches show lots of potential for further development into full-on, intricate compositions.

Angel

These drawings show that you're ready for the next level of drawing: realism. Great how you did study sketches to find accurate shapes of the negative space around the egret's body. Keep it going, man!

Mark

These two compositions show tremendous potential in developing your observational drawing skills (the accurate sketch of the dragonfly) and drawing from your imagination (the abstract drawing). With focused effort, your work could see dramatic growth. Check out your drawings in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn: Click here

Kayla

Drawing realistic contour edges was a challenge for you, but you pulled together accurate sketches of the egret and dragonfly. Both drawings show your eye for accurate proportions and attention to details. Your abstract compositions show your confidence in cutting loose with original artistic ideas!

Sage

The proportions of the dragonfly's wings and body are very accurately drawn. Nice job of using thinner, lighter lines to show the transparent wings. Nice abstract composition, too! There is a true artist lurking somewhere in your brain. With some focused effort you'll bring it out onto paper. Be sure to check eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn to view your drawings: Click here

Nathan

You're making steady progress in drawing with lines and shapes. I know drawing a realistic egret was a challenge for you. But each time you made a new sketch, the contour edges of its body became more accurate. We'll keep working on building confident line work.

Jay

The past couple of weeks have shown a more focused effort in building your drawing skills. Your series of egret drawings shows more control of your line work and more accuracy in sketching realistic contour edges.

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

2010-10-08T06:58:00.000-07:00

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

End of Year eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn

2010-06-13T12:03:00.000-07:00

clockwise: Emily, Shaylah, Matt G.

I've had the pleasure to work with this core group of sketchers all year and look forward to their return in the Fall, 2010. They'll be taking their imaginations to the next level and applying their skills to projects such as a Drawing League yearbook called 'Live to Draw, Draw to Live' and sketching tournaments with other schools. Miranda is also a key artist in this group (she couldn't let go of her colorful Geisha rendering to post on the blog). Students will be finding their own directions by learning to utilize drawing in disciplines such as graphic design. Shown below are concept sketches for skateboard designs.

To view the year-end eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn: Click here

clockwise: Nick, Matt S., Zach T.

Online Student Show, 2010

2010-05-20T14:46:00.000-07:00

What a Year! The Online Student Show features student drawings from six different schools in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. The theme of the show is Drawing from Observation and Imagination. All students have drawings posted!

To see your drawings and other students: Click here

Weeks 7, 8, 9: Abstract/Surreal Drawing, Cross-Hatching, Stipple Technique

2010-04-25T22:35:00.000-07:00

SLV Sketchers are drawing down the home stretch, towards the last weeks of school, and everyone is focused on learning some new skills and choosing work for the Student Show. We had fun getting into using cross-hatching and stipple drawing techniques.

Was REALLY cool to spend time looking through Shaylah's sketchbook and Emily's random pieces of art last Friday. Both of these girls are SERIOUSLY into drawing and it's always a pleasure to see what they'll come up with next.

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

C ya next week! --Rob

Miranda

2010-04-25T22:34:00.001-07:00

Astounding work, Miranda!!!!!! Simply excellent application of the cross-hatching technique! Maybe a drawing for the Student Show?

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Zach T.

2010-04-25T22:32:00.001-07:00

Your abstract style has fully busted out into the open, man!!!!! Intense, vivid colors and patterns abound in these drawings! Great eye for design and composition, Zach. Would really like to see you develop your signature character. :-) Can't wait to see what you're cookin' up for the Student Show.

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Matt G.

2010-04-25T22:29:00.000-07:00

Whoa!!!!!! Absolutely cool cross-hatched line work and abstract/surreal compositions, Matt!! Your illustration style is moving in very interesting directions. Hope to see you work up a few skateboard deck designs for the Student Show.

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Shaylah

2010-04-25T22:28:00.001-07:00

Your drawing skills, over the many months, have evolved wonderfully!!!! The cross-hatching technique was SUPERBLY executed while showing your understanding of 3D form and accurate proportions of the flower and man's face. Spotted the cool little plant sketch you started, too. Ready for the Student Show?

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Matt S.

2010-04-25T22:26:00.000-07:00

You joined us late in the game, Matt. But your drawings are progressing in leaps and bounds!!! Fantastic use of lines and shapes in your abstract drawings, especially the detailed geometric star shapes. Excellent work using the stipple technique for the rose. I bet you're thinking of one of these compositions for the Student Show.

Because of your focused, diligent attitude in improving your drawing skills, in such a short period of time, you've earned the title of Most Improved SLV Sketcher for 2010. Draw on, Matt!!

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Elvis

2010-04-25T22:25:00.000-07:00

Elvis, you are the king... of abstract/surreal drawings!!! Nice cross-hatching and use of lines, shapes, and patterns, man! Really like the combination of black and red on your abstract piece. What's it going to be for the Student Show?

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Ben

2010-04-25T22:24:00.000-07:00

Great that you submitted to the Sketchers, Ben!!! Great use of color, lines, and shapes in your abstract composition! Hope to see more of your work in the future.

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Giavony

2010-04-25T22:23:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the SLV Sketchers, Giavony!!! You're off to an EXCELLENT start in drawing the contour edges that form the rose. Very nice job of drawing accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes). Look forward to more drawing lessons with you.

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Nick

2010-04-25T22:20:00.000-07:00

As always, Nick, your eye for composition makes for an interesting drawing!! Looks like you focused some serious energy on this stipple-effect sphere. Extending this technique and filling the page with abstract elements would make for a cool piece in the Student Show.

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

Our Teachers!

2010-04-25T22:19:00.005-07:00

Patty

Stellar cross-hatching technique, Patty!!! Wonderfully rendered fruit showing your amazing ability to layer and blend colored pencils. And a splendid springtime abstract color sketch to top off a lot of excellent drawing!

Hilda

Amazing, abstract expression of music, Hilda!!!!!!!!! Great composition... lots of rhythm and harmony. And your flowers drawn with the stipple effect are BEAUTIFULLY rendered! Nice blend of technique and color. :-)

Student (Teachers too!)Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

End of Year eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn

2010-04-25T22:19:00.001-07:00

Shaylah

Emily

Nick

Matt G.

Zach

Matt S.

Weeks 5 & 6: Blending Colored Pencils and Drawing from Observation and Imagination

2010-03-29T13:30:00.001-07:00

Whoah! We got into layering colored pencils to create awesome drawings of apples. Each of you started with a yellow base color then overlaid and blended red and blue on top to show realistic color. We also got started on abstract drawings which I'll be posting soon.

A big SLV Sketcher welcome to our newest member, Matt S.!

Attention all sketchers, show your best drawings! Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 7, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

See everyone Friday! --Rob

Miranda

2010-03-29T13:28:00.000-07:00

Your versatility as a sketcher is REALLY beginning to shine, Miranda!!! Your technique of mixing yellow, blue, and red colored pencil layers for the apples is superbly executed. Great work in showing the form of the apples, the shiny texture of the skin, and subtle changes in color. Your line rendering of the women is very well drawn. I like how you sketched lightly then finished with darker contour lines for the details, especially in the folds of the dress! And your observation/imagination sketch of the shell is another excellent step in your development as an artist.

Matt G.

2010-03-29T13:24:00.000-07:00

Excellent, excellent drawing, Matt!!! Your unique style shows through in all these sketches! Magnificent blending of colored pencils in your fruit study! You REALLY gained control of layering red and blue on top of yellow for wonderful textures of the fruit. So cool how you experimented with combining pencil and colored pencil for the Aztec god drawing. I really like how you loosened up to quickly sketch the camera and iron. Keep practicing sketching quickly and accurately, it will launch you into new areas of development in your drawing style.

Zach T

2010-03-29T13:20:00.000-07:00

Truly another mighty Zach attack!!! You're finding some REALLY awesome directions in your abstract work! I enjoyed discovering all the cool creatures in your highly detailed rendering. You outdid yourself in using different tones and patterns to pull of an exquisite piece. The intricate detail work is an excellent step in developing your tattoo drawing style. The observation/imagination sketch turned out cool, too! The drawing of the squash launched you into a nice large-scale composition. And you pulled out of your abstract trance long enough to blend some really nice blues, reds, and yellows for the 'apple'.

Matt S.

2010-03-29T13:15:00.000-07:00

A very big WELCOME to the SLV Setchers, Matt! Your desire to jump in and learn basic skills certainly shows in these awesome sketches! The proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) became more accurate each time you drew the apples. Great job of blending red and blue pencils on top of yellow. And you did a magnificent job of showing the roundness and 3D form of the apples. You quickly gained control of your line work to create a bunch of fantastic grayscale sketches! The proportions of the lizard, jaguar, and puffer fish are very accurately drawn. Nice job of adding the patterns and textures to all the animals, and the wood underneath the lizard. The gray tones you added to your sketches are a really nice touch. Keep practicing sketching light guidelines for the shapes of things you're looking at; then finishing with darker outlines.

Elvis

2010-03-29T13:14:00.001-07:00

Hey, Elvis!! Once you got focused on layering red and blue over yellow you put together some really cool color sketches! You've been drawing, off and on, with SLV Sketchers since the beginning of the program and have learned a lot of different skills and techniques. It's my hope that you use the tools to create drawings for student show. :-)

Our Teachers!

2010-03-29T13:09:00.001-07:00

Hilda

Beautiful blending of read and blue over yellow to show the textures of the apples!!! You also did a great job of showing the contours and roundness of their form. Since you got new colored pencils I look forward to seeing more of your work!

Patty

This is a really tight rendering, girl!!! Overall, excellent proportions (compared to the reference pic) and exquisite line work for the details. Of course, it's your wonderful shading technique that pulls it all together.

Weeks 3 & 4: Finding Your Style

2010-03-07T13:40:00.000-08:00

For the past couple of weeks we've been exploring different drawing styles and materials. All of you rose to the Surrealist and white pencil challenges and put together extraordinary pieces.

As you explore new drawing styles and materials, be thinking about submitting drawings to the student show in May. For details: Click here

Want to compare the work of SLV Sketchers to other schools? Check out the Drawing League to see what other students are doing: Click here

C ya Friday! --Rob

Zach T

2010-03-07T13:37:00.000-08:00

Sublime abstract drawing, Zach!!! Maybe try using your min-boggling style with more organic shapes? So cool that you jumped into a really sketchy style for your Van Gogh drawing. Keep developing this style as we move to sketching from real life. And your ultra-high-contrast white pencil drawing of the zebra turned out fantastic, man!

Miranda

2010-03-07T13:35:00.000-08:00

Your work as an artist is really starting to shine, Miranda!!! Your experiments with new styles of drawing and materials is taking you into exciting directions. The white pencil zebra was a challenge but you pulled it off! Using the colored pencil for the eye was a nice touch. And... Whoa! Your Van Gogh drawing is spectacular. Excellent use of angled and curved pencil strokes to create texture and depth. The perspective of the buildings is spot on. Your abstract/surreal drawing is an EXCELLENT step in exploring a whole new style of artwork.

Elvis

2010-03-07T13:33:00.000-08:00

You are on your way to being a Surrealist, Elvis!!! You took last week's challenge challenge of creating a surrealist drawing and ran with it! Excellent use of all the skills and techniques you've learned while drawing with the SLV Sketchers. You did a great job of working with the white pencil on dark paper and got off to great start on the Van Gogh. Hope to see your large-scale VAn Gogh this week.

Matt

2010-03-07T13:30:00.000-08:00

Simply! Amazing! Your style has emerged full-force in the white pencil lesson! You may have found a direction for your creative inventiveness in Surrealism. Excellent gradations of white highlights to darker shadows, especially in the temporal area of the skull and the textures on the monkey. Very interesting direction on the Van Gogh sketch. What is the narrative going on in your composition?

Nick

2010-03-07T13:29:00.002-08:00

This is your most focused drawing I've seen you do in awhile, Nick. It is totally your style!! I really like the direction that you took for the Surrealism challenge. Great mash-up of tones and textures. Are the elements in the composition symbolic?

Jamee

2010-03-07T13:29:00.001-08:00

You stayed with the challenge of the white pencil and pulled off an excellent drawing!!! Your precise style of drawing started working well in the details of the temporal area of the skull--its 3D form really started to show. EXCELLENT job of nailing down accurate proportions. This is a great start in putting together realistic illustrations that could possibly tell a story.

Kris

2010-03-07T13:27:00.001-08:00

Wow! Kris! You pulled together a couple of REALLY cool drawings for the abstract/surreal challenge! I really like how you used patterns, gradient tones, and geometric shapes to create your compositions. And you black/white zebra drawing is a BIG-time change in your drawing style--hope to see more of this kind of focused realistic drawing in the future!

Arianna

2010-03-07T13:26:00.000-08:00

Glad you're still able to do some drawings with us. So cool how you created this geometric design for the abstract/surreal challenge, and then cut it out around the edges. Great usage of the skills you've learned while drawing with the SLV Sketchers. Keep drawing, Arianna!!!

Our Teachers!

2010-03-07T13:21:00.000-08:00

Hilda

You made it through the white pencil lesson with a wonderful composition!!! Excellent details in the skull, especially where the eye socket and temporal area merge!

Patty

What else to say?... You rock, girl!!!!!!!

Week One & Two: 1-Point, 2-Point, & Atmospheric Perspective

2010-02-08T18:18:00.000-08:00

Whew! Everyone got through a couple weeks of drawing in perspective--without rulers! We got into working with different pencil leads and experimenting with drawing objects from different views. We've got a great group of advanced sketchers, so we'll be exploring lots of cool stuff in the coming weeks.

I think the drawing by Zach (above left) depicts everyone's feeling about the perspective drawing lessons. Check out Zach's new drawings and Arianna's stylin' stapler in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn. Click here or on Nick's 'music' drawing in the right column to view new student work.

This Week's Challenge is sUrReAL!: Everyone has put a bunch of awesome drawings together during the last 2 weeks. So.... this week, go for a fun surrealist or cubist drawing using what you've learned so far: lines, shapes, 3D form, textures, different gray values, and perspective. Draw totally from your imagination, or from pictures, or real life. It can be abstract 3D objects or a still life. Twist and distort your objects, make the perspective go in crazy directions. Keep it in gray tones with regular pencils and graphite. (Don't worry, we'll be getting into colored pencils in the not-too-distant future.)

For examples of surrealist and cubist artwork to give you ideas, click here.

Ciao! --Rob

Natalie

2010-02-08T18:13:00.000-08:00

Amazingly fantastic drawings, Natalie!!! You nailed the lessons with strong skills and a powerful imagination. Your keen eye helped you sail through the lessons on perspective: parallel vertical lines, correctly angled guidelines to the vanishing points, correct angles of perspective from different viewpoints. And the proportions and contour edges in your drawing of the dragonfly are very well drawn!

This Week's Challenge is sUrReAL!: You've put a bunch of awesome drawings together during the last 2 weeks. So.... this week, go for a fun surrealist or cubist drawing using what you've learned so far: lines, shapes, 3D form, textures, different gray values, and perspective. Draw totally from your imagination, or from pictures, or real life. It can be abstract 3D objects or a still life. Twist and distort your objects, make the perspective go in crazy directions.

For examples of surrealist and cubist artwork to give you ideas, click here.

Zach T

2010-02-08T18:08:00.000-08:00

You put some serious effort into learning perspective drawing, but it was well worth your time, Zach! These drawings are stellar! Excellent work in keeping the vertical lines parallel and correct angles to the vanishing points--drawing the street scene was a bit tricky without rulers :-) I like the gray tones added to your composition of books and the composition you set up. The different tonal values in your atmospheric perspective lesson are well drawn, especially the lightest gray used for the clouds in the distance.

This Week's Challenge is sUrReAL!: You've put a bunch of awesome drawings together during the last 2 weeks. So.... this week, go for a fun surrealist or cubist drawing using what you've learned so far: lines, shapes, 3D form, textures, different gray values, and perspective. Draw totally from your imagination, or from pictures, or real life. It can be abstract 3D objects or a still life. Twist and distort your objects, make the perspective go in crazy directions.

For examples of surrealist and cubist artwork to give you ideas, click here.

Nick

2010-02-08T18:00:00.000-08:00

You're off to a great start in perspective drawing, Nick!! Cool how your imagination went right to work in the 2-point perspective lesson; the prison scene was a great way to show your skills in drawing 3D form, parallel vertical lines, correct angles to the vanishing points, and shading. Excellent job of drawing the perspective of the tower and the angled lines for the razor wire fence. I really like how you experimented with loosely sketched lines and different pencil leads in your atmospheric perspective drawing. And you pulled off some really cool 'challenge' sketches, man!

This Week's Challenge is sUrReAL!: You've put a bunch of awesome drawings together during the last 2 weeks. So.... this week, go for a fun surrealist or cubist drawing using what you've learned so far: lines, shapes, 3D form, textures, different gray values, and perspective. Draw totally from your imagination, or from pictures, or real life. It can be abstract 3D objects or a still life. Twist and distort your objects, make the perspective go in crazy directions.

For examples of surrealist and cubist artwork to give you ideas, click here.

Matt

2010-02-08T17:56:00.000-08:00

Took a little while for you to get into the zone, but you put together some EXCELLENT perspective drawings!! Your imagination kicked in about halfway through the 2-point lesson and produced VERY provocative composition, Space Shuttle and all! Great job of keeping correct perspective on spacecraft and buildings. The gray tonal values of your atmospheric perspective sketch are well drawn, especially where the tones get lighter towards the bottom of each section. The cast shadow under the books in your 'challenge' sketch does a great job of bringing the viewer into the composition. You really have a knack for creating interesting compositions, Matt!

Arianna

2010-02-08T17:50:00.000-08:00

Your composition, showing lighter tones for the hills in the distance is REALLY well drawn, Arianna! Cool how you used different pencil leads to create atmospheric perspective. You've got Van Gogh-like impressionistic look going on with the clouds--really cool! Great start with both 1 and 2-point perspective. Overall, your angles of perspective are correct. Check to make sure your vertical lines are parallel to each other, and the guidelines of the windows are angled correctly. I can help you out with that, if you'd like. I really like the flying saucer and iPod in your 1-point perspective sketch. Very imaginative 3D product sketch. ;)

This Week's Challenge is sUrReAL!: You've put a bunch of awesome drawings together during the last 2 weeks. So.... this week, go for a fun surrealist or cubist drawing using what you've learned so far: lines, shapes, 3D form, textures, different gray values, and perspective. Draw totally from your imagination, or from pictures, or real life. It can be abstract 3D objects or a still life. Twist and distort your objects, make the perspective go in crazy directions.

For examples of surrealist and cubist artwork to give you ideas, click here.

Kris

2010-02-08T16:53:00.000-08:00

Great to have you contribute to the Sketchers, Kris! You've got a good eye for proportions (the sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) and lots of control of your line work. You did a great job of drawing the contour lines showing the edges that form the glue gun. Cool sketch of the classroom. Check to see if the legs of the table are drawn in correct perspective. I can give you some tips on that.

This Week's Challenge is sUrReAL!: You've put a bunch of awesome drawings together during the last 2 weeks. So.... this week, go for a fun surrealist or cubist drawing using what you've learned so far: lines, shapes, 3D form, textures, different gray values, and perspective. Draw totally from your imagination, or from pictures, or real life. It can be abstract 3D objects or a still life. Twist and distort your objects, make the perspective go in crazy directions.

For examples of surrealist and cubist artwork to give you ideas, click here.

Our Teachers

2010-02-08T16:50:00.001-08:00

Patty

A huge, resounding Whoa!! Your drawing hand is back in tip-top condition, Patty! And your eye for perspective is spot-on. Excellent use of different tonal values to show dramatic 3-dimensional form. Cities floating in space? Avatar had a big impact on you, eh? ;) Simply, all-around skillful perspective compositions. The doors of the Rialto may be drawn out of perspective. If you've got a minute I can help you with that.

Reference Pictures: Surrealism, Cubism

2010-02-08T16:49:00.002-08:00

Surrealism

Salvador Dali 1931

Joan Miro 1937

Cubism

Pablo Picasso 1921

Georges Braque 1913

Weeks Ten & Eleven: Sketching, Composition, Form, Value, Rhythm

2009-12-16T12:49:00.000-08:00

VERY productive sketch sessions! Each of you is beginning to find and express your own creative voice. We explored the elements of composition by drawing an agave plant. All of you accomplished the goal of sketching loosely, quickly, and accurately.

Mini Drawing Show:
Shown below are the sketches that were done during Friday's video sketch session. Your skills really shined while drawing BIG! Click on the picture to enlarge for viewing:

above, left to right: Arianna, Nick, Zach
bottom, left to right: Emily, Hilda

I look forward to drawing with all of you after the holiday break. Hopefully you'll get inspired to get a sketchbook going! :-)

Happy Holidays!!! --Rob

Zach

2009-12-05T16:38:00.000-08:00

This composition is a big breakthrough in the direction of your drawing style, Zach!! You used loosely sketched lines and different tones to capture the organic contours and color values of the agave plant. What I really like is how you merged your abstract style with a realistic representational style.

Your unique perspective of the classroom ceiling made for an EXCELLENT composition for last week's challenge sketch!

This week's drawing challenge: Find an object that has interesting patterns and textures to draw. Make 3 quick study sketches of it in different positions (sign and date your sketches for me, please). Then, focus on one part or area of the object to use for a dramatic composition, like how we focused on one area of the agave instead of the whole plant. Get expressive with your line work. Fill the whole paper. Include lots of details that will make for a provocative composition. Enjoy!

Emily

2009-12-05T16:31:00.000-08:00

Your powerful sketching ability is captured beautifully in these drawings, Emily! Your quick eye for accuracy is matched with flowing contour lines, tones, and cross-hatching (one of your specialties). I REALLY like how you captured the organic form of the plant with delicate contour lines in your study sketches; then powered through a dramatic composition that pushed your pencil strokes in all directions while keeping an accurate representation of the plant. It's all held together with the control and rhythm shown in the movement of your pencil.

And your challenge sketch of the classroom is a wonderful execution of perspective drawing! Great job of using angled lines and shapes and tones to create a fascinating composition.

This week's drawing challenge: Find an object that has interesting patterns and textures to draw. Make 3 quick study sketches of it in different positions (sign and date your sketches for me, please). Then, focus on one part or area of the object to use for a dramatic composition, like how we focused on one area of the agave instead of the whole plant. Get expressive with your line work. Fill the whole paper. Include lots of details that will make for a provocative composition. Enjoy!

Miranda

2009-12-05T16:29:00.000-08:00

The rhythm and harmony of your pencil strokes flowed into a beautiful composition, Miranda!!! You kept a sharp eye for accuracy while loosening up with multi-directional lines, especially in the darker tones. Your line work looks like brush strokes in an impressionist painting. Way cool how you used the kneaded eraser to blend the highlights with mid tones. It will be interesting to see how your drawing style develops as you keep sketching quickly and accurately.

Your view of the chalkboard for the classroom sketch divides the paper into a very interesting and balanced composition!

This week's drawing challenge: Find an object that has interesting patterns and textures to draw. Make 3 quick study sketches of it in different positions (sign and date your sketches for me, please). Then, focus on one part or area of the object to use for a dramatic composition, like how we focused on one area of the agave instead of the whole plant. Get expressive with your line work. Fill the whole paper. Include lots of details that will make for a provocative composition. Enjoy!

Nick

2009-12-05T16:27:00.001-08:00

The speed and looseness of these sketches make for an amazing development in your skills!! You continue to push through to new levels of drawing, Nick! The accurate line work in your contour study sketch is awesome. The powerful mid and dark tones do a great job highlighting the organic contours of the agave leaves. Your composition looks very painterly. Keep expanding on this sketching style, man!

The lines and shapes of your classroom sketch makes for a strong minimalist composition.

This week's drawing challenge: Find an object that has interesting patterns and textures to draw. Make 3 quick study sketches of it in different positions (sign and date your sketches for me, please). Then, focus on one part or area of the object to use for a dramatic composition, like how we focused on one area of the agave instead of the whole plant. Get expressive with your line work. Fill the whole paper. Include lots of details that will make for a provocative composition. Enjoy!

Arianna

2009-12-05T16:22:00.000-08:00

Arianna, you were definitely last week's Drawing Machine!!! You cranked out a bunch of quick sketches that show wonderfully expressive line work--lots of movement and rhythm going on! I really like how you experimented with different ways to capture the organic curves of the agave. With each new sketch your contour lines for the plant's leaves became more accurate. Excellent job of sketching bold lines to show a nice contrast between shadow areas, mid tones, and highlights.

Cool sketch of the classroom! You loaded all kinds of details making for an interesting composition.

This week's drawing challenge: Find an object that has interesting patterns and textures to draw. Make 3 quick study sketches of it in different positions (sign and date your sketches for me, please). Then, focus on one part or area of the object to use for a dramatic composition, like how we focused on one area of the agave instead of the whole plant. Get expressive with your line work. Fill the whole paper. Include lots of details that will make for a provocative composition. Enjoy!

Matt

2009-12-05T16:21:00.002-08:00

As always, Matt, your way of seeing things produced a provocative sketch of the classroom!! Your use of negative space gives each of the objects in your drawing just the right amount of breathing room, creating a sense of drama, and making for a very interesting composition. You have a way of creating illustrations that seem to have some sort of story going on. Nice work, man!

This week's drawing challenge: Find an object that has interesting patterns and textures to draw. Make 3 quick study sketches of it in different positions (sign and date your sketches for me, please). Then, focus on one part or area of the object to use for a dramatic composition, like how we focused on one area of the agave instead of the whole plant. Get expressive with your line work. Fill the whole paper. Include lots of details that will make for a provocative composition. Enjoy!

Challenge Reference: Product Design, Perspective

2009-12-05T16:21:00.001-08:00

Okay, sketchers! This week you are a product concept artist. Using either 1 or 2-point perspective (vanishing points, guidelines, etc.), draw a concept sketch of a product that people can use to make their daily lives a little easier, productive, exciting. It can be and existing product or you can invent something new.

Remember to start by sketching light guidelines then finish with darker lines and tones for lighter and darker values. Get creative and have fun sketching a design that will change the world! :-) Scroll down for ideas.

Examples of concept sketches:

Week Nine: Free Draw, Texture

2009-11-15T09:23:00.000-08:00

Last week was Free-draw Friday and you all spent the hour cranking out some really cool drawings. I look forward to the next eight weeks as we continue to explore observational drawing from real life, as well as from memory, how you feel, and imagination. It will also be exciting to help each of you explore your own directions in making drawing a valuable tool in your future.

And now for this week's drawing challenge: From reference pictures, real life, memory, how you feel, or from your imagination make a drawing of the things you're thankful for. Use the whole sheet of paper for your composition. Add shading and textures to create a powerful illustration. Express what's important to you. Enjoy!

C ya Friday (for the T-day festivities)! ---Rob

Matt

2009-11-15T09:21:00.000-08:00

Awesome! Drawing! Matt! Your ability to express yourself as an illustrator truly shines in the drawing of the lobster. (Let's further explore illustration as a potential career for you.)You did an excellent job of showing the texture of the lobster compared to the metal of the pan. The contour lines forming the lobster and the subtle shading are very well drawn. And for Friday's free-draw you pulled out all the stops for some fascinating work from your imagination.

Miranda

2009-11-15T09:20:00.000-08:00

Miranda, you've definitely hit your stride in observational sketching!! Your eye for accuracy matches your ability to draw confidently, making drawing a powerful tool for your future. As your line work and shading improves, your drawings are looking more realistic. Your ability to draw accurate contours and textures is really starting to show in your work. You did an amazing job of swiftly sketching the cartoon monster!

Emily

2009-11-15T09:18:00.000-08:00

The artist Paul Klee (1879-1940) famously said, "A drawing is simply a line going for a walk." Always a delight to see where your imagination will walk next, Emily! Your rapid sketches after Robert Crumb and your clock are nice little glimpses of your big-time potential for creative expression. Drawing is definitely a solid foundation for your future career. I'd really like you to explore areas such as illustration as a possible career in visual art.

Zach

2009-11-15T09:17:00.001-08:00

The free-draw session is just what the doctor ordered for the creature with its arm in a sling. Your furry character (drawn after the artist Michael Sieben) shows a very cool style that I hope you'll explore further. Try visiting the magazine rack at Book Shop Santa Cruz for magazines like Juxtapoz and Hi-Fructose for more art style ideas. Your abstract designs also have lots of potential for development.

Jamee

2009-11-15T09:15:00.000-08:00

Welcome back to class, Jamee! You dove in with a wonderfully accurate sketch of the lantern. Your observational drawing skills have come a long way since joining the Sketchers. And the work from your imagination is starting to flourish, too!! Your character sketch shows your ability to draw ideas in your mind out onto paper. Really cool how you used bold lines to show contours and texture.

Arianna

2009-11-15T09:14:00.000-08:00

I've seen you make some outstanding drawings from real life, Arianna! And you've pulled off some awesome abstract sketches too. But when given a free-draw session it seems like cartooning is what you enjoy most. Your lively sketches capture the essence of the Nickelodeon characters. Now if we can just get you to blend it all together to make drawing a valuable tool for you to use in your future. Let's tap your true potential in drawing!

Nick

2009-11-15T09:12:00.006-08:00

Hilda says that you're drawing all day long in school, whenever you get a chance. In SLV Sketchers you've developed an excellent eye for accuracy and I'd like to keep you drawing things from real life. But you really enjoy drawing from your imagination. You have put together a vast library of symbolic images (like in the drawing, shown above right) and I'd like you to explore putting them together in illustrations that tell stories. I'd also like you to push your potential in creating compositions that combine realism and symbolism. Maybe you can visit the magazine rack at Bookshop Santa Cruz with Zach and check out books on surrealist artists, or magazines like Juxtapoz and Hi-Fructose for ideas.

Week Eight: Form, Texture

2009-11-07T12:49:00.000-08:00

The Crate of Realism: bones, skulls, shells, rocks and rusty old stuff

On Friday everyone selected an object from the 'crate of realism' and got into an excellent drawing session to finish our 8-week course. Each of you has found your own drawing style and direction that we'll explore in upcoming weeks. The SLV sketching crew has taken on every challenge I've thrown at you.

And so...

Your final drawing challenge for this quarter: Create a composition by drawing from observation (looking at things and then drawing them), memory (remembering a person, place, or thing), feeling (how you feel at this moment), or your imagination. You can focus on one kind of drawing or mix one or more together. Include what you've learned so far: lines, shapes, patterns, textures, form, shading, contours, etc. Use the whole paper for your composition. Enjoy!

C ya Friday! --Rob

Miranda

2009-11-07T12:48:00.001-08:00

For the first few weeks you kept saying that you couldn't draw, even while your drawings kept improving. Miranda, your observational and drawing skills are stellar! Your ability to swiftly sketch accurate proportions of the lantern, the can of Lysol, and the bone is amazing. I especially like how you captured the roundness of the glass of the lantern and the delicate texture of the bone. Take a moment to see how far you've come in eight weeks; check out your first lesson: Click here. You can draw, girl!! I look forward to exploring realism and composition with you in the upcoming weeks.

And check out this drawing highlight of yours: Click here

Your final drawing challenge for this quarter: Create a composition by drawing from observation (looking at things and then drawing them), memory (remembering a person, place, or thing), feeling (how you feel at this moment), or your imagination. You can focus on one kind of drawing or mix one or more together. Include what you've learned so far: lines, shapes, patterns, textures, form, shading, contours, etc. Use the whole paper for your composition. Enjoy!

Matt

2009-11-07T12:47:00.001-08:00

A very cool drawing style is really starting to show in your work, Matt! As you've focused on drawing realistically, your line work has become more accurate and delicate, allowing for very natural looking details. Your accurate rendering of the skull is EXCELLENT. And then you let your imagination kick in to invent an awesome composition, complete with a stack of vertebrae from memory and imagination. I REALLY like the shading on the box (eyeglass case?) and the details of the hinges. Let's also explore your talent for cartoons and caricature... I remember a really nice caricature portrait you did of Barak Obama.

Check out a couple of your highlights during the course: Click here and Click here

Your final drawing challenge for this quarter: Create a composition by drawing from observation (looking at things and then drawing them), memory (remembering a person, place, or thing), feeling (how you feel at this moment), or your imagination. You can focus on one kind of drawing or mix one or more together. Include what you've learned so far: lines, shapes, patterns, textures, form, shading, contours, etc. Use the whole paper for your composition. Enjoy!

Emily

2009-11-07T12:45:00.000-08:00

Your ability to draw from observation and then quickly shift to sketching a composition from your imagination is truly a gift. These sketches show your skill of drawing contours and form as you shift from whimsical to realistic styles. Your skills and imagination are destined to take you places in visual art, Emily. I look forward to challenging you creatively (fun, right?) in the upcoming weeks. Just want you to check out these sketches you did when you were really in the zone one day: Click here and this cool abstract composition starting with a map of the location of your house: Click here

Your final drawing challenge for this quarter: Create a composition by drawing from observation (looking at things and then drawing them), memory (remembering a person, place, or thing), feeling (how you feel at this moment), or your imagination. You can focus on one kind of drawing or mix one or more together. Include what you've learned so far: lines, shapes, patterns, textures, form, shading, contours, etc. Use the whole paper for your composition. Enjoy!

Keeley

2009-11-07T12:44:00.000-08:00

Hey, Keeley! Missed having you in class last week. I'm glad to hear you're getting back into drawing. The drawing of the sponge and your finger (at least I think it's yours) are excellent examples of texture and that you haven't lost your eye for accuracy. Look forward to drawing with you in upcoming weeks.

Just to refresh your memory here's a stroll down memory lane: Click here and Click here and Click here and how about your portrait of Barak Obama: Click here

Your final drawing challenge for this quarter: Create a composition by drawing from observation (looking at things and then drawing them), memory (remembering a person, place, or thing), feeling (how you feel at this moment), or your imagination. You can focus on one kind of drawing or mix one or more together. Include what you've learned so far: lines, shapes, patterns, textures, form, shading, contours, etc. Use the whole paper for your composition. Enjoy!

Arianna

2009-11-07T12:43:00.001-08:00

Your potential for drawing is extraordinary, Arianna! When you're in the zone and focused your eye for 3D form is VERY accurate and line work is confident. You haven't yet truly explored your ability to draw realistically... hope to get you into it more in future lessons. And your drawing style, when creating fantastic sketches from your imagination, is AMAZING. Let's also explore combining realism and your cool abstract designs. Seems like you enjoy drawing cartoons, too. It's gonna be fun drawing with you in upcoming weeks. :-)

Check out a couple in-the-zone highlights: Click here and Click here

Your final drawing challenge for this quarter: Create a composition by drawing from observation (looking at things and then drawing them), memory (remembering a person, place, or thing), feeling (how you feel at this moment), or your imagination. You can focus on one kind of drawing or mix one or more together. Include what you've learned so far: lines, shapes, patterns, textures, form, shading, contours, etc. Use the whole paper for your composition. Enjoy!

Zach T

2009-11-07T12:42:00.001-08:00

Your abstract expressive style has really shined during the past 8 weeks. Learning about looking at things and then drawing them has helped your style a lot, Zach! What started out as sketches of a starfish and a shell turned into a wonderful composition of lines, shapes, patterns and textures. The details and designs in your study in texture are really cool! As we get more into composition let's explore surrealism; sort of a blend of realism and the fantastic stuff from your imagination.

Check out some of your surrealistic highlights: Click here and Click here and Click here

Your final drawing challenge for this quarter: Create a composition by drawing from observation (looking at things and then drawing them), memory (remembering a person, place, or thing), feeling (how you feel at this moment), or your imagination. You can focus on one kind of drawing or mix one or more together. Include what you've learned so far: lines, shapes, patterns, textures, form, shading, contours, etc. Use the whole paper for your composition. Enjoy!

Nick

2009-11-07T12:40:00.006-08:00

Word has it in the schoolyard that you draw all day long, Nick! Your skills have improved steadily during the past 8 weeks, and your own unique style of is emerging in your drawings. Although drawing realistically in our lessons has influenced your style, you're most focused when pursuing a blend of realism and abstract compositions. As you were drawing the dolphin vertebrae and starfish you explored some really cool line/abstract designs. Let's explore this more in upcoming weeks. The intense textured pattern on the basketball turned out cool, too.

Some of your drawing highlights so far: Click here and Click here

Your final drawing challenge for this quarter: Create a composition by drawing from observation (looking at things and then drawing them), memory (remembering a person, place, or thing), feeling (how you feel at this moment), or your imagination. You can focus on one kind of drawing or mix one or more together. Include what you've learned so far: lines, shapes, patterns, textures, form, shading, contours, etc. Use the whole paper for your composition. Enjoy!

Week Seven: Form, Proportion, Roundness

2009-10-31T19:12:00.000-07:00

Friday was a sCaRy day of drawing! Being the day before Halloween, everyone was in the mood for drawing real-life pumpkins (our focus was to show roundness and contours) and spooky faces. Zach had a mask that Miranda and Matt drew. And all of you took on last week's challenge of drawing the man's profile by Leonardo da Vinci. Everyone's drawings of the old guy are fantastic! You used cross-hatched lines and tones to show the form of his head.

Mask and man's profile drawings by Miranda, Emily, and Matt

Check out Zach's abstract sketch in eXpReSsioN sEsSiOn: Click here

This week's drawing challenge (if you have time, of course): Once again, find an object from the classroom or your backpack. But select this object specifically for its different textures. For example, show the fabric of a jacket or piece of cloth (try shading the areas where it folds), or the roughness of a piece of wood, or the difference between shiny and rough metal. Show textures by using tones, cross-hatching, jagged lines, wavy lines, or broken lines. Have fun!

This Friday will be our last day of the course. :( We'll be drawing from real life objects.

--Rob

Miranda

2009-10-31T19:09:00.000-07:00

Miranda, you've punched through to a whole new level of drawing realistically! You quickly and lightly sketched the overall shape of the pumpkin, making adjustments to proportions without erasing. Curved contour lines show the the natural roundness of the form of the pumpkin. Excellent job of showing the contours and textures of the stem. And Leonardo da Vinci's old man is VERY well drawn! You've drawn accurate contour lines and proportions of his head, and cross-hated lines to show texture and form.

Compare your drawing of the old man to the reference picture of Leonardo da Vinci's drawing. Are the proportions of his forehead, nose and chin drawn accurately? Check the distance between the ear and back of the head for accuracy. For reference click here.

This week's drawing challenge (if you have time, of course): Once again, find an object from the classroom or your backpack. But select this object specifically for its different textures. For example, show the fabric of a jacket or piece of cloth (try shading the areas where it folds), or the roughness of a piece of wood, or the difference between shiny and rough metal. Show textures by using tones, cross-hatching, jagged lines, wavy lines, or broken lines. Have fun!

Arianna

2009-10-31T19:07:00.000-07:00

You've succeeded in showing the roundness of the pumpkin by drawing very natural looking contour lines. The texture of the stem and the overall form of the pumpkin are well drawn. Great start in drawing the cast shadow underneath! The overall proportion's of Leonardo's old man are accurately drawn. You did a great job of showing texture and form by using cross-hatched lines and tones. Arianna, your observational drawing has improved in a BIG way during the past weeks.

Compare your drawing of the old man to the reference picture of Leonardo da Vinci's drawing. Are the proportions of his forehead, nose and chin drawn accurately? Check the distance between the ear and back of the head for accuracy. For reference click here.

This week's drawing challenge (if you have time, of course): Once again, find an object from the classroom or your backpack. But select this object specifically for its different textures. For example, show the fabric of a jacket or piece of cloth (try shading the areas where it folds), or the roughness of a piece of wood, or the difference between shiny and rough metal. Show textures by using tones, cross-hatching, jagged lines, wavy lines, or broken lines. Have fun!

Nick

2009-10-31T19:05:00.000-07:00

Staying focused on contours and textures and roundness produced really nice results, Nick! You used the space between the vertical contour lines of the pumpkin's surface to measure proportions. The overall proportions and form of the pumpkin look natural. You really got into the zone while drawing the skull! Excellent job of observing its contour edges and overall form. You nailed its proportions, spot on. And speaking of accurate proportions, fantastic work on Leonardo's old man! Great contour lines for his profile and texture of skin! Observational drawing has been a bit of a challenge for you but you REALLY pulled your skills together for these drawings, Nick!

Compare your drawing of the old man to the reference picture of Leonardo da Vinci's drawing. Are the proportions of his forehead, nose and chin drawn accurately? Check the distance between the ear and back of the head for accuracy. For reference click here.

This week's drawing challenge (if you have time, of course): Once again, find an object from the classroom or your backpack. But select this object specifically for its different textures. For example, show the fabric of a jacket or piece of cloth (try shading the areas where it folds), or the roughness of a piece of wood, or the difference between shiny and rough metal. Show textures by using tones, cross-hatching, jagged lines, wavy lines, or broken lines. Have fun!

Matt

2009-10-31T19:00:00.001-07:00

By focusing on sketching faster and accurately your observational drawing has improved dramatically! As you loosened up your lines you were able to quickly capture the overall form of the pumpkin. This will help you in a big way as you sketch from real life. Also, sketching lightly helps you to make adjustments without erasing, helping you to concentrate on accurate proportions. Great job in using the spacing between the vertical contour lines to measure proportions and roundness. I really like how you showed the form of the stem and how it's attached at the top. Excellent job on Leonardo's old man, Matt! Your contour lines and proportions are well drawn. The textures and shading show the form of his facial features, especially the 3D form of his ear.

Compare your drawing of the old man to the reference picture of Leonardo da Vinci's drawing. Are the proportions of his forehead, nose and chin drawn accurately? Check the distance between the ear and back of the head for accuracy. For reference click here.

This week's drawing challenge (if you have time, of course): Once again, find an object from the classroom or your backpack. But select this object specifically for its different textures. For example, show the fabric of a jacket or piece of cloth (try shading the areas where it folds), or the roughness of a piece of wood, or the difference between shiny and rough metal. Show textures by using tones, cross-hatching, jagged lines, wavy lines, or broken lines. Have fun!

Zach T

2009-10-31T18:47:00.000-07:00

Zach, your observational drawing skills just keep on improving! (It's catching up with your cool abstract drawing style!) The overall proportions of the pumpkin are very well drawn. You did a great job of showing the roundness of its form by drawing curved contour lines. I really like the textures and contours of the stem and how it's attached to the top. You really turned on your eye for detail while drawing Leonardo's old man! Great job of using lines and tones to define the form of his face and head. Overall, the proportions and contour edges are very well drawn. Keep it going, man!

Compare your drawing of the old man to the reference picture of Leonardo da Vinci's drawing. Are the proportions of his forehead, nose and chin drawn accurately? Check the distance between the ear and back of the head for accuracy. For reference click here.

This week's drawing challenge (if you have time, of course): Once again, find an object from the classroom or your backpack. But select this object specifically for its different textures. For example, show the fabric of a jacket or piece of cloth (try shading the areas where it folds), or the roughness of a piece of wood, or the difference between shiny and rough metal. Show textures by using tones, cross-hatching, jagged lines, wavy lines, or broken lines. Have fun!

Emily

2009-10-31T18:46:00.002-07:00

Glad you were able to do last week's drawing challenge, Emily. Your line work continues to blaze! Excellent how you used crisp, angled lines for the darker background; this highlights the contour edges of his face. The swiftness and accuracy in your lines and tones show a dramatic view of the textures and form of this old guy.

Compare your drawing of the old man to the reference picture of Leonardo da Vinci's drawing. Are the proportions of his forehead, nose and chin drawn accurately? Check the distance between the ear and back of the head for accuracy. For reference click here.

This week's drawing challenge (if you have time, of course): Once again, find an object from the classroom or your backpack. But select this object specifically for its different textures. For example, show the fabric of a jacket or piece of cloth (try shading the areas where it folds), or the roughness of a piece of wood, or the difference between shiny and rough metal. Show textures by using tones, cross-hatching, jagged lines, wavy lines, or broken lines. Have fun!

Week Six: Form, Proportions

2009-10-25T09:26:00.001-07:00

On Friday, we drew a dog using grid lines for making accurate proportions. You also handed in your drawings from the previous week's drawing challenge. Each of you made huge progress in drawing realistic, accurate proportions.

Left: drawing by Arianna

We got some new drawings from Arianna and Emily for eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn. To check them out Click here.

Your drawing challenge for this week is to work from the reference picture of this drawing by Leonardo da Vinci. Concentrate on drawing accurate proportions and contour edges of this strange-looking man's profile. Especially concentrate on drawing the cross-hatched lines showing the form and textures of his face.

Hilda has the reference pictures for you. Here's a link to the reference if you need it: Click here

We'll be drawing from objects from real life on Friday. C ya! --Rob

Miranda

2009-10-25T09:25:00.001-07:00

Whoa! Miranda! You pulled together everything you've learned so far in class--lines, shapes, textures, proportions, positive/negative space--to create and exquisite drawing of the dog. Your contour lines and shading show its realistic 3D form and its proportions are VERY well drawn. Your line work and observational skills have improved in a BIG way, as shown in your drawing challenge sketch of the purse. I like all the details you added.

Your drawing challenge for this week is to work from the reference picture of Leonardo da Vinci. Concentrate on drawing accurate proportions and contour edges of this strange-looking man's profile. Especially concentrate on drawing the cross-hatched lines showing the form and textures of his face. Hilda has the reference pictures for you. Here's a link to the reference if you need it: Click here

Emily

2009-10-25T09:24:00.001-07:00

Wonderful! Drawings! Emily! Your ability to shift your line work from whimsical to more technically correct is amazing. I really like the intensity and movement in your lines as well as the layers of tones in your shading. Your style (combination of cross-hatching and shading) shows potential for a future career as an illustrator or designer.

Your drawing challenge for this week is to work from the reference picture of Leonardo da Vinci. Concentrate on drawing accurate proportions and contour edges of this strange-looking man's profile. Especially concentrate on drawing the cross-hatched lines showing the form and textures of his face. Hilda has the reference pictures for you. Here's a link to the reference if you need it: Click here

Jamee

2009-10-25T09:22:00.000-07:00

I know the drawing of the dog was a challenge for you, Jamee. But you stayed focused and did an EXCELLENT job of drawing accurate proportions!! The contour lines that show its 3D form are very well drawn. Your cool drawing of the crayon box is a perfect step to the observational drawing we'll be doing for the next couple of weeks.

Your drawing challenge for this week is to work from the reference picture of Leonardo da Vinci. Concentrate on drawing accurate proportions and contour edges of this strange-looking man's profile. Especially concentrate on drawing the cross-hatched lines showing the form and textures of his face. Hilda has the reference pictures for you. Here's a link to the reference if you need it: Click here

Matt

2009-10-25T09:21:00.002-07:00

Your eye for drawing realistically keeps improving steadily!! Overall the proportions and contour edges of the dog are drawn very accurately. Great job of including the details of the eyes and folds of the ears. Your challenge drawing of the wallet looks 3D and awesome. The details of its interior and the cast shadow give depth to your drawing. Excellent job, Matt!

Your drawing challenge for this week is to work from the reference picture of Leonardo da Vinci. Concentrate on drawing accurate proportions and contour edges of this strange-looking man's profile. Especially concentrate on drawing the cross-hatched lines showing the form and textures of his face. Hilda has the reference pictures for you. Here's a link to the reference if you need it: Click here

Nick

2009-10-25T09:21:00.001-07:00

It is so cool how your ability to draw realistically just keeps on improving, Nick!! The contour lines in your dragon fly drawing were a big step in your drawing skills. But the contour edges you drew for the dog pushed you to a new level of realistic drawing. The proportions of its head and positioning of the eye and nose are accurate. Nice job of drawing the folds of the ears. Your challenge sketch shows that you've gained a much better understanding of drawing 3D form.

Your drawing challenge for this week is to work from the reference picture of Leonardo da Vinci. Concentrate on drawing accurate proportions and contour edges of this strange-looking man's profile. Especially concentrate on drawing the cross-hatched lines showing the form and textures of his face. Hilda has the reference pictures for you. Here's a link to the reference if you need it: Click here

Zach

2009-10-25T09:18:00.000-07:00

You've got a very cool drawing style emerging in your realistic work, Zach!! Your bold line work shows accurate proportions of the dog and the wonderful designs on the Kleenex box. You've done an excellent job of drawing the 3D form of the dog, including the folds of its ears. Nice job of adding gray tones for the different values of color.

Your drawing challenge for this week is to work from the reference picture of Leonardo da Vinci. Concentrate on drawing accurate proportions and contour edges of this strange-looking man's profile. Especially concentrate on drawing the cross-hatched lines showing the form and textures of his face. Hilda has the reference pictures for you. Here's a link to the reference if you need it: Click here

Arianna

2009-10-25T09:17:00.000-07:00

The contour lines for the edges of the scissors are VERY well drawn, Arianna!! And the soft cast shadow underneath the scissors is positioned correctly and makes your drawing look 3D! You are so ready for next week's drawings of objects from life. :-)

Your drawing challenge for this week is to work from the reference picture of Leonardo da Vinci. Concentrate on drawing accurate proportions and contour edges of this strange-looking man's profile. Especially concentrate on drawing the cross-hatched lines showing the form and textures of his face. Hilda has the reference pictures for you. Here's a link to the reference if you need it: Click here

Keeley

2009-10-25T09:16:00.002-07:00

She's back!! Glad to have you drawing with SLV Sketchers again, Keeley! You didn't waste any time in cranking out a NICE sketch of the Kleenex box. The way you drew the angles of the designs on the sides match the angles of perspective. And the subtle shading is a really nice touch.

Your drawing challenge for this week is to work from the reference picture of Leonardo da Vinci. Concentrate on drawing accurate proportions and contour edges of this strange-looking man's profile. Especially concentrate on drawing the cross-hatched lines showing the form and textures of his face. Hilda has the reference pictures for you. Here's a link to the reference if you need it: Click here

Reference Picture: Profile by Leonardo

2009-10-25T09:16:00.001-07:00

Leonardo da Vinci (1452 - 1519) was a big-time artist who lived in Italy and France during the Renaissance. Click on the image for larger view.

Week Five: Form, Contour Lines, Positive/Negative Space

2009-10-17T11:40:00.000-07:00

Hey SLV Sketchers! The progress we're making is exciting! You experimented with shifting from the left side of the brain (analytical, verbal) to the right side (emotional, visual). Drawing the negative space around the chair forced your brain to shift from left mode to right mode. These exercises made everyone a little crazy. But I was really impressed to see everyone work through the challenges of learning about positive and negative space. It will be valuable knowledge for the remaining weeks ahead. Another thing that everyone did well was to draw the egret twice the size of the reference picture while keeping accurate proportions!

Check it out: We've got some VERY cool new drawings posted in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn!

This week's drawing challenge:
Look around the classroom or in your back pack. Find an interesting object. It can be a stapler, a piece of your jewelry, or a watch; anything that you can set in front of you to draw. Take a moment to see the negative space surrounding the object... that's where you'll lightly draw the contour lines that show the edges of its form (like you did with the egret). You can add lines and patterns to show textures, and gray tones for shading. HOT TIP: Start by lightly drawing basic shapes of the objects to help you get accurate proportions.

View examples of objects drawn by students: Click here

I'll see all of you on Friday! --Rob

Matt

2009-10-17T11:34:00.000-07:00

Friday was a BIG breakthrough day for you, Matt! I know that drawing the negative space around the chair, instead of the chair itself, was a challenge. But it was well worth the effort! You pulled it together for an awesome drawing of the egret!! The contour lines showing the form of its body are VERY well drawn. Your line work has changed from thicker lines to more delicate lines showing lots of accurate detail. Stay with this during the upcoming weeks. And go for this week's challenge, man...

This week's drawing challenge:
Look around the classroom or in your back pack. Find an interesting object. It can be a stapler, a piece of your jewelry, or a watch; anything that you can set in front of you to draw. Take a moment to see the negative space surrounding the object... that's where you'll lightly draw the contour lines that show the edges of its form (like you did with the egret). You can add lines and patterns to show textures and shading. HOT TIP: Start by lightly drawing basic shapes of the objects to help you get accurate proportions.

Emily

2009-10-17T11:32:00.000-07:00

You nailed the positive/negative space lesson, spot-on! The accuracy of the contour curves of the egret are very well drawn. I like how you're able to switch art styles from one drawing to the next. Exquisite line work and details on the flower! I really like the cross-hatched lines you used for the background.We're going to slow things down a bit for the remaining weeks. Take time to concentrate on drawing accurate proportions and contour edges. The skills of perceiving spaces and edges will be very useful in your future artwork. If you have time, along with your other drawings and schoolwork, keep doing your abstract compositions--lots of potential for new directions in those drawings. Can't wait to see what detailed drawing you come up with for this week's challenge...

This week's drawing challenge:
Look around the classroom or in your back pack. Find an interesting object. It can be a stapler, a piece of your jewelry, or a watch; anything that you can set in front of you to draw. Take a moment to see the negative space surrounding the object... that's where you'll lightly draw the contour lines that show the edges of its form (like you did with the egret). You can add lines and patterns to show textures. HOT TIP: Start by lightly drawing basic shapes of the objects to help you get accurate proportions.

Miranda

2009-10-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

Your hard work during the past weeks is REALLY starting to show in your drawing!! As you learned about positive and negative space (excellent work on the chair) your ability to draw accurate proportions improved dramatically. The contour edges of the egret and the poppy are VERY well drawn. Nice details on the poppy. You're beginning to see the world like an artist, Miranda. Stay focused on the accuracy of proportions and contour edges in the upcoming weeks. Push your skills; go for the details in this week's challenge...

This week's drawing challenge:
Look around the classroom or in your back pack. Find an interesting object. It can be a stapler, a piece of your jewelry, or a watch; anything that you can set in front of you to draw. Take a moment to see the negative space surrounding the object... that's where you'll lightly draw the contour lines that show the edges of its form (like you did with the egret). You can add lines and patterns to show textures. HOT TIP: Start by lightly drawing basic shapes of the objects to help you get accurate proportions.

Zach T

2009-10-17T11:29:00.001-07:00

The lesson about positive and negative space was a huge step in your drawing skills, Zach! The chair started out as a challenge; then you started seeing and drawing the negative space around chair--you got it! Great job of drawing the contour lines for the overall form of the egret. The 's' curve in its neck is drawn accurately. The details of the beak and head are drawn well. Excellent job of drawing the overall form of the poppy. Keep looking for where the positive and negative space meet, forming the contour edges of what you're drawing. Also, I really want you to keep drawing in the direction of your last abstract drawing. Your subject matter, subtle shading, and textures are looking VERY cool! Let's see what you come up with for this week's challenge...

This week's drawing challenge:
Look around the classroom or in your back pack. Find an interesting object. It can be a stapler, a piece of your jewelry, or a watch; anything that you can set in front of you to draw. Take a moment to see the negative space surrounding the object... that's where you'll lightly draw the contour lines that show the edges of its form (like you did with the egret). You can add lines and patterns to show textures. HOT TIP: Start by lightly drawing basic shapes of the objects to help you get accurate proportions.

Jamee

2009-10-17T11:23:00.000-07:00

Great job on drawing the negative space around the chair, Jamee! Learning about negative space helped you to sketch accurate contour lines for the egret. Overall, you did an awesome job of drawing the form of the egret! The contour lines showing the edges of its body and head are drawn well. The plants in the picture are a nice touch. Going into these next weeks concentrate on looking for where the negative space meets the object you're drawing. Keep practicing drawing accurate contour lines. Take your contour lines to the next level in this week's challenge...

This week's drawing challenge:
Look around the classroom or in your back pack. Find an interesting object. It can be a stapler, a piece of your jewelry, or a watch; anything that you can set in front of you to draw. Take a moment to see the negative space surrounding the object... that's where you'll lightly draw the contour lines that show the edges of its form (like you did with the egret). You can add lines and patterns to show textures. HOT TIP: Start by lightly drawing basic shapes of the objects to help you get accurate proportions.

Arianna

2009-10-17T08:37:00.001-07:00

Excellent control of your pencil while shading the negative space around the chair and egret, Arianna! You stayed focused on drawing the edges that form the egret's body, neck, and head. You pulled it all together nicely to draw really accurate contour lines of the poppy. During the weeks ahead, practice looking for where the negative space and positive space meet; where they meet shows the edges of the object that you're drawing. Really, REALLY concentrate on drawing contour lines in this week's challenge...

This week's drawing challenge:
Look around the classroom or in your back pack. Find an interesting object. It can be a stapler, a piece of your jewelry, or a watch; anything that you can set in front of you to draw. Take a moment to see the negative space surrounding the object... that's where you'll lightly draw the contour lines that show the edges of its form (like you did with the egret). You can add lines and patterns to show textures. HOT TIP: Start by lightly drawing basic shapes of the objects to help you get accurate proportions.

Nick

2009-10-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

Nick, I know that drawing the negative space around the chair was challenging, but you stayed focused and did a great job! Nice job of drawing the contour lines that form the egret and the poppy. Keep practicing looking for where the negative space meets the positive space; where they meet shows the edges of the object that you're drawing. Hey Nick, push your skills to the next level; go for the challenge...

This week's drawing challenge:
Look around the classroom or in your back pack. Find an interesting object. It can be a stapler, a piece of your jewelry, or a watch; anything that you can set in front of you to draw. Take a moment to see the negative space surrounding the object... that's where you'll lightly draw the contour lines that show the edges of its form (like you did with the egret). You can add lines and patterns to show textures. HOT TIP: Start by lightly drawing basic shapes of the objects to help you get accurate proportions.

Our Teachers!

2009-10-16T20:34:00.002-07:00

Hilda

I know this positive/negative lesson makes you a little crazy. But you pulled it off wonderfully! :-)

Examples of Student Drawings of Objects

2009-10-16T20:34:00.001-07:00

Drawings by last year's SLV Sketchers:

SLV Sketchers in Action

2009-10-16T20:33:00.000-07:00

Week Four: Proportion, Texture, Contour Lines

2009-10-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

Last Friday everyone made a big step towards making accurate realistic drawings. I saw a lot of confidence in your sketching skills as you drew realistic contour lines. Some of you dropped into the Zone right at the start of class and concentrated on drawing accurately.

Read about what I mean by 'getting into the Zone': Click here

Last week, for the drawing challenge, you had the job as a concept artist to sketch a school mascot. Check out eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn to view the fun.

Left: SL Bee Mascot by Elvis

eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn Challenge for this week:
Draw how you feel, right at this moment. For example: Are you feeling happy, sad, angry, excited, or frustrated? You can express your emotions with your imagination, from memory, or from something you're looking at. Use lines, shapes, patterns, textures, and gray tones. It can be abstract or representational (recognizable things), it's up to you and your feelings. Use the whole paper for your composition.

Keep drawing! --Rob

Miranda

2009-10-10T11:51:00.000-07:00

Really nice contour lines of the dragon fly's body and wings!!! Way cool how you drew thin lines to show transparent wings. The overall proportions of the dragonfly are VERY well drawn. You got a great start sketching the light shapes of wolf. Be nice to see you finish the wolf. I watched you sketch on Friday and your ability to quickly sketch accurate shapes and guidelines is improving in a big way--you were in the Zone. Miranda, you're sooo ready for drawing more realistically.

Read about getting into the Zone: Click here

eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn Challenge for this week:
Draw how you feel, right at this moment. For example: Are you feeling happy, sad, angry, excited, or frustrated? You can express your emotions with your imagination, from memory, or from something you're looking at. Use lines, shapes, patterns, textures, and gray tones. It can be abstract or representational (recognizable things), it's up to you and your feelings. Use the whole paper for your composition.

Nick

2009-10-10T11:49:00.000-07:00

Your drawing of the dragon fly is a MAJOR step toward drawing realistically, Nick! You did a fantastic job of drawing larger while keeping accurate proportions of the dragon fly's body and wings. The contour lines that show the curves forming the edges of its body are very well drawn. Nice job of including realistic details such as the lines for the transparent wings, thorax, and eyes. Keep focused on drawing larger, accurate shapes and then finishing with darker contour lines.

Read about getting into the Zone: Click here

eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn Challenge for this week:
Draw how you feel, right at this moment. For example: Are you feeling happy, sad, angry, excited, or frustrated? You can express your emotions with your imagination, from memory, or from something you're looking at. Use lines, shapes, patterns, textures, and gray tones. It can be abstract or representational (recognizable things), it's up to you and your feelings. Use the whole paper for your composition.

Elvis

2009-10-10T11:46:00.000-07:00

You are definitely back on track with your realistic drawing, Elvis!! The overall proportions of the dragonfly are drawn very well. You did an excellent job of sketching basic shapes; then carefully drawing natural-looking contour lines for the form of its body and wings.

Read about getting into the Zone: Click here

eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn Challenge for this week:
Draw how you feel, right at this moment. For example: Are you feeling happy, sad, angry, excited, or frustrated? You can express your emotions with your imagination, from memory, or from something you're looking at. Use lines, shapes, patterns, textures, and gray tones. It can be abstract or representational (recognizable things), it's up to you and your feelings. Use the whole paper for your composition.