Middle School Sketchers Get Real With Graphite and Charcoal

 
Our middle school students wrapped up their 4-week, Level 1 course with a very productive session of drawing things from real life. They explored using woodless graphite pencils and compressed charcoal sticks. Classes took place on Saturday mornings in our new studio/classroom.

 
Students made quick sketches of squash and pumpkins in various positions as they studied curved contours and 'roundness'. Above left are studies in pencil by Megan. To the right is her large-format, finished charcoal drawing.

Moshe cranked out various squash studies (above left). And to the right, is his large contour drawing of the squash and smaller skull sketches.

Hannah put together a number of excellent studies (above left) of the squash, skull, and a banana peel (she got hungry from all the drawing!). And she finished the day with a wonderful large-format charcoal drawing.

Hannah also made an amazingly accurate contour rear-view drawing of the skull (above left) and finished a piece from her imagination that she started last week.

Above left is Megan's cross-hatch drawing from the previous week, and to the right is Hannah's cross-hatch work. Students started with a smaller study sketch; then took it to large-format paper while keeping the same proportions. They cross-hatched lines to create textures and tones.

The crew (above left) took a break to pose with Bob the skull (each group has their own special name for the skull). As Moshe was working on some concept sketches, Megan commented that his spacecraft looked like a toaster. From then on, everyone's drawings looked like toasters. Our next session will be even more fun and challenging as we explore concept drawing.

Want to see more pics of these sketchers in action? Click 'Read more' below...

Objects of Desire to Draw

Adult sketchers, Levels 2 and 3, enjoy using our new studio/classroom for a 4-week course of intensive object drawing. The drawing classes take place in the afternoons and evenings and challenge students' observational skills.

 
Working from still life objects such as large shells and plaster casts of hands, everyone concentrated on accurate proportions, contour edges, and creating tonal values with charcoal.

 
To step up the challenge, we threw a plaster-cast bust into the mix with wonderful results! Students learned to sketch and measure the larger shapes before finishing with contours and tones. Shown above are drawings in progress by Kirsten (left) and Helen (right).

Getting used to drawing with charcoal was each student's first step. Above left is a charcoal study of a shell by Adam. And to the right is his 3-tone charcoal drawing of a hand and sphere, showing how he quickly adapted to using charcoal.

As students made 3-tone drawings from the plaster cast, they concentrated on blocking-in basic shapes, measuring accurate proportions, and drawing natural looking contours. Afterward, they added the 3 tones--dark shadows, mid tones, and highlights. Then the fun began: lots of smudging, smearing, erasing, and blending of tones! Above, shown clockwise, are drawings by Matt, Michele, Kirsten, and Allison.

To the left are Helen's study sketches and her finished charcoal drawing.

Draw to Learn School Spotlight: Natural Bridges High School Sketchers Excel

Spring is in the air! And it's easy to get distracted from doing school work. But one group of dedicated sketchers has turned up the heat and remains focused on improving their skills.

Natural Bridges High School sketchers have been very focused during the past several weeks and have pulled together amazing sketches, from beginner through advanced ability levels. Here are some of the highlights:

 
 

Images shown clockwise, starting upper left: Thairie smears, smudges, and erases his way through a drawing of a plaster cast; Gianna puts a delicate touch to contrasting shadows and highlights while drawing in charcoal from a plaster cast; Gianna's drawing shows how she started with accurate contour lines and proportions before carefully adding lighter and darker tones; The plaster cast drawn by Thairie shows accurate proportions and perspective, bold contours, and tones for shadows, mid-tones, and highlights.

Shown at left is a superb charcoal study of a plaster cast hand. The drawing shows very accurate details and proportions--a full hour of intense concentration! The artist is NB sketcher, Katia. To view more more work by NB sketchers: Click here

Middle Schoolers Start Drawing at Our New Studio/Classroom!

The first middle school students to use our new drawing facility are producing brilliant work. Moshe, Hannah, and Megan are learning about contour edges and proportions as they explore using various kinds of charcoal and pencils. They're also working with Rob on their own projects. Check out the pics of our fantastic young sketchers...

To view more pics of these intrepid sketchers click 'Read more' below...