What is Drawing?

Drawing is a visual representation that uses a series of lines and marks to create an image on a two-dimensional medium.

Materials Needed When Drawing

Drawing can be done on a a variety of mediums with several different types of instruments. It can be done with HB pencils, pencil crayons, pastels, felt pens, and crayons. While paper is most common, other mediums such as newspaper, cardboard, or even wood can also be used.

Techniques

There are several simple techniques that can be used to represent light, perspective, and form.

Shading: To give the illusion of light, the technique of shading is used. Shading is the darkening one side of a drawing to represent the shadow made from a light source. Teach students about the proper placing of shadows by illuminating objects and studying which parts the light hits and doesn’t.

Source: http://www.paulcarneyarts.com/shading.html

Perspective: Simple techniques can often create a big effect. To teach and draw perspective, pick a vanishing point and draw everything focusing towards it, growing smaller as it reaches the point.

http://www.drawinghowtodraw.com/drawing-lessons/Perspective-Drawing/1-One-Point-Perspective.html

Form: Drawing form combines light, shadow, and line to create a three-dimensional effect. Start simple by teaching shapes such as cubes, triangles, and circles.

http://wallpho.com/81495-form-art-element-id-46292.htm

All of these drawing principles can be taught using Directed Drawing. Have your class follow you in a guided drawing, one shape or line at a time. A few simple steps transform blank sheets into works of art!

http://www.abcschoolhouse.com/directed_drawing.htm