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....

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.