DRAWING PENCILS | OIL PASTELS | WATERCOLORS

Still Life Drawings
Objectives: Students will apply knowledge of still life drawings/paintings throughout history as they create still life pencil drawings with visually appealing composition, ratios and proportions. Lesson Background: Introduce still life drawing. Inspire discussion by viewing a range of still life drawings and paintings ranging from historical master works (see MASTERPIECES OF WESTERN ART) to contemporary pieces by artists such as Janet Fish and Audrey Flack. Encourage discussion of the elements of a pleasing composition. Draw attention to the ratios and proportions within still life examples.
Procedure: Demonstrate use of Portfolio Series AquaSketch pencil techniques, including ways of producing various values as well as light and cast shadow effects. Ask students to... Experiment with the following techniques on sketch paper, including:Tinting effects, wet pencil and wet brush. Use the pencils to create a range of values from dark to light. Explore ways to create the effect of transparency, light and cast shadows. Sketch your composition on drawing paper with light lines, filling most of the page. Refer to compositional elements, ratios and proportions identified in the master works. Use techniques explored in points 1-3 to develop the effects that bring your drawing to life. TIP: Adults can use fixatif on student works as necessary, spraying outdoors or beneath a strong exhaust fan. Critical Response: Students respond critically to master works of art and works of their own. Curricular Connections: In this lesson students will explore the concepts of ratios and proportions and are directly related to concepts learned in math.
Media/Tools: Portfolio Series AquaSketchô Pencils 18 X 24 inch drawing paper Sketch paper National Art Standard: This lesson addresses the content standard of understanding and applying artist media, technique, and process Resources: Eschenburg, Barbara vonLengerke Christa. (1996). Masterpieces of Western Art. K–ln, Taschen. Heller, Nancy G. (1987) Women Artist. New York, Abbeville Press.