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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!

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...

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

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....

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

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

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






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

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

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

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

End of Year eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn

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

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

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