The Manduca Project

Art & Music Activities

Observational Drawing

by

Sheldon Koester -Drachman School -Tucson, Arizona

 

Why do observational drawings?

To learn, discover, investigate, explore, and produce drawings that can be used in books, for research, for future activities, and for display.

What it is

Drawings of objects you can touch, feel, see, and observe.

What it isn't

Drawings of photographs, magazine pictures, or things not being observed.

How to make an observational drawing:

  1. Observe and pick up the object, if possible. Touch it, rub it, look at it from all possible sides. Really observe it.

  2. Draw the object with a drawing pencil (no erasers). First drawings should always be in pencil. Do not use erasers. They stop the thinking process and they get in the way. They make drawings stiff and smudged. Look at the object more than the paper while drawing. Start out drawing lightly. Draw large, filling the space on the paper.

  3. Experiment with color. Use crayons, colored pencils, or chalk. Observe and match the color or colors as well as the object itself.

  4. Draw with other media such as ink and charcoal. Magnify objects and draw smaller parts. Magnify these smaller parts and draw them.

  5. Make a painting by observing the drawings.

  6. Observe other students' drawings and paintings. Have students critique a work of their choice, saying what they like about the work, and giving one suggestion for improvement.

  7. Use drawings as a guide for other activities, such as papier-mâché, books, and murals.

 

Students should get in the habit of drawing every real thing they can observe. Students need the freedom to do observational drawings independently and often. They also need freedom of choice of media.

 

Another art idea

"What color?"

Which other creatures are affected by the color of their food? For fun, write about and draw what these animals would look like if they WERE affected by their food 's color:

 

 
The Manduca Project
The University of Arizona
Contact: Dr. Michael Wells
Revised: July 27, 2001, 2001

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