We continued our study of 'Value' - one of the basic Elements of Design. As we learned last week, value (shading) enables us to depict 3
dimensional objects such as spheres. And in fact many objects around us are just variations of a sphere. I brought a pear and apple into class (as well as a picture I had taken of them that morning) and we used the same techniques to draw them with a 4B charcoal pencil as we had done last week with the 3-D snowmen . Some of the lessons we learned last week were refined this week, such as holding the pencil in an 'underhand' position which helps soften the shading and conserve the charcoal. Also, the kneaded eraser was used to not only 'lift' off charcoal but also helped to blend in the pencil lines.
Some kids wanted to add some more fruit to their drawing, you will see some grapes in some of the drawings and even a kiwi! My challenge to the kids over the Holidays is to look around their homes for other spherically based objects and to practice drawing them in 3-D. And even more valuable - to teach their whole family what we have learned!
And to those of you who say you can't draw - if I can, you can! I have never drawn before in my life and have been pouring through drawing books and taking a beginning drawing class (with Jacki von Allmen) at the Kirkland Art Center. Both she and I could only draw stick figures back in September! I am quite literally staying a week ahead of the kids.
The pictures below are those I've been given permission to post.
