1. Learning to Draw the Basics Observational Drawing Contour Drawings
Focus: Memory vs. Actuality
Contour Lines
Basic Shapes
Strong Compositions
Value Shading with Lines

2. What does drawing from observation mean?
Observational drawing
Drawing what you only see! (Not what you think it should look like!)
What is the purpose of observational drawing?
To strengthen the amount of details and proportions you see (forces you to look closer), helps you practice the basic drawing techniques in order to get to mastery (sight measuring), helps you make what your drawing more life like or realistic.

3. value H-stands for hardness (light) B-stands for blackness (dark)
degrees of lightness
and darkness
-10 STEP SCALE
-Even blended transitions
READING A VALUE PENCIL
H-stands for hardness (light)
B-stands for blackness (dark)
HB or #2 pencil is a middle grey

4. using a value pencil to add depth and dimension
SHADING-

5. What is a contour line? Contour Line
Is NOT a line that just outlines the subject! Contour lines define the exterior and the interior part of the subject matter.
What is the purpose of contour drawings?
A line drawing, drawn slowly with smooth, even, continuous lines. (NO BREAKS in the lines = NO implied line)
Forces the artist to slow down and really observe what they are looking at very carefully (Details Matter!)

6. Two types of contour drawings
Blind Contour Drawing
Is a drawing exercise, where an artist draws the contour of a object without looking at the paper. (Eyes only on the object!)
Continuous Contour Drawing
Is a drawing exercise, where the artist looks both at the object and the paper, moving the pencil over the paper, and creating a silhouette of the object as well and the interior and exterior of the object. (Don’t pick up your pencil!)

7. BLIND CONTOUR DRAWING

8. CONTINOUS CONTOUR DRAWING

10. CONTOUR DRAWINGS Practice Assessments:
Bind Contour of an object of your choice (No looking at the paper!)
Continuous Contour of your hand (Pencil to paper ALWAYS!)
Contour Drawing of your shoe (Lightly Sketch, then add contours!)

11. LOOKING FOR BASIC SHAPES

12. STARTING YOUR DRAWING GAUGE PORPORTIONS
LIGHTLY sketch out OR mark the basic shapes of objects using a light pencil (ex: 4H).
Work out the kinks now… get the perspective, composition and proportions right…
GAUGE PORPORTIONS

15. There are many different techniques and media you can use to create a still life…

16. What is a still life? Still life-
A still life is an arrangement of inanimate objects (usually objects that are not alive) - such as fruit, pottery, and flowers.
What is the purpose of drawing still lifes?
The artist has a chance to arrange these objects (unlike a landscape) in order to work out the composition of their artwork. In addition, this is a great way to practice and develop observational drawing techniques.

17. STILL LIFE PAINTING

18. CHARCOAL STILL LIFE

19. VALUE STILL LIFE

20. TIPS BEFORE BEGINNING A STILL LIFE:
Choosing the right location: a light source is the key to a strong compositional drawing. Find a place that shows a range of values . Light is very important in a still life, this will give life and impact to your work.
View your arrangement through an empty slide frame to assess the composition and consider its placement on the paper. This will help you make right compositional decisions and help to break down the objects so you won’t become overwhelmed.
Consider compositional elements, avoiding bland central positioning and symmetry. Look for those interesting and unique view points. Make your drawing stand out and try something with a unique perspective to challenge your skills.

21. 4. After observing ,working out your shapes and proportions then start concentrating to break down what each single object looks like. SLOWLY with your eyes observe all outlines, raised, and recessed areas. Begin drawing the contours of each object as you observing. (Start at a SINGLE point and work you way around the object—should be one continuous line)
5. Then add VALUE. Make sure you achieve a full range of value. Beginners tend to draw too lightly and end up with a washed-out looking drawing. See a value scale if you need reference. Add value slowly - layering to build up deep tones. DO NOT define edges with a single line, define them with shifts in value by overlapping the lines to build tones/contrast. This will take some planning.
-YOU MAY USE ANY LINE MARK MAKING TECHIQUE WE PRACTICED IN CLASS TO CREATE YOUR VALUE IN YOUR CONTOUR DRAWING.

22. LIGHT SOURCES
LEFT
MUTIPLE
BEHIND
ABOVE

23. Cast Shadow -where no light hits the object (darkest value)
Core Shadow -where the object begins to recede light (dark grey value)
Half-tone -neither light nor dark (value between the shadow edge and highlight)
Reflected Light-the rim of light reflected from a surrounding surface back on the edge of the form (slightly lighter than halftone but not as light as the highlight)
Highlight-the brightest value where the light source is the strongest
ELEMENTS OF SHADING

24. CONTOUR DRAWING

25. CONTOUR DRAWING

26. CONTOUR DRAWING

27. EXAMPLES