Introduction to Comparing Size, Shape and Position

What does the shape remind you of? How big is this part compared to that part? Where are the parts compared to each other? Where do things start and stop?

The ability to draw accurately is not as important as the ability to compose a picture well. All my students drew the main object from observation – mostly from photos. Then they made up the rest of the picture using the following compositional guidelines that help create unity, balance, rhythm, as well as center of attention.

Overlap Go off the edge of the paper Don’t line things up or stack REPEAT things (shapes, values, patterns, colors, etc.) in different amounts, in different parts of the page Don’t divide the page in half diagonally, vertically or horizontally. Have some things bigger/some smaller. Have some things closer together/ some further apart. Group objects.

First graders used bugs from our 4 th grade science resources. Google insects to find LINE DRAWINGS of insects.

Grade 2

Students in first grade drew them selves by looking in the mirror. First we talked about what to look for. Then they had to make two different expressions.

Things near look larger (less fits in the picture) more detailed Things far look smaller (more fits in the picture) less detailed

Peep Holes - Grades 1 and 2

Things near look larger more detailed lower on the page (on the ground, higher in the sky) Things far look smaller less detailed higher on the page (in the sky, lower on the ground)

Two Points of View – Grades 3 and 4

Overlapping is a way of showing: “in front” and “behind” The bottom of the thing beHind is Higher and partly Hidden. First grade students did animals with overlapping grass. Typically they do a see-through, stained-glass window effect rather than actually hiding the thing behind.

Overlapping Grades 1 & 2

Second grade students worked on the floor, in groups of 4 to draw stuffed animals propped against the wall. They used the strategy – compare size, shape and position. (If something looks funny, draw it the same funny-looking way.)

Third grade students drew a still life of objects using only a few objects at a time and had the freedom to make up some objects.

Fourth grade students drew one another in groups of four – two posing, two drawing. It took 4 class periods.