Crayons!

My fifth graders just finished a drawing from observation unit and the results are amazing! We started out learning how to use quick small drawings called thumbnail sketches to help plan a dynamic and interesting composition. Students then selected crayons to draw and arranged them in an interesting way. After their thumbnail sketches were complete, students selected their favorite composition and began to lay out their final drawing on black paper. We spent a lot of time discussing how to achieve realism in our drawings through observation. Students were encouraged to really study the crayons that they were drawing. As they sketched and refined their drawings we talked about scale and proportion, measuring in our drawings, and how to check for accuracy. I am always fascinated by how much visual information we miss in everyday objects and how much we can learn by really taking the time to observe. 

Students used oil pastel to add color to their drawings and practiced layering colors, blending, adding highlights and shadows as well as refining details in their work.

Check out this artwork!

 

Drawing from observation can be really difficult and often challenges the way our brain perceives visual information. I am so proud of all of my students for taking on this challenge and putting in their best effort!