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

Miranda

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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