Weeks 1, 2 & 3: Lines, Shapes, Patterns, Proportions

 
Great to be drawing with Watsonville Community Sketchers! Right away, we got started with measuring accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes). Another basic skill we learned is how to hold the pencil on its side and using the whole arm while drawing. Warm-ups by Jasmine (upper left) and Alisa (upper right).





 
While looking at reference lesson pictures, students got into drawing with lines and shapes as they looked for accurate proportions. Alisa's sketch of the toucan (above, left) shows her accurate eye for proportions. Yasmin's crab (upper right) are wonderful examples of how to sketch accurate proportions.




Students also learned the importance of sketching light guidelines and drawing on top of mistakes. Rozy's sketch of the puffer fish (upper left) shows how she drew on top of mistakes before finishing with darker outlines. Her fish on the right shows her guidelines as she looked for the overall shape of its body.

We started pushing to the next level of observational drawing: showing depth and 3D form.  Jasmine overlapped the front legs of the frog to show depth in her drawing, and Yvonne's jaguar shows the angle and 3D form of its body.

Click 'Read more' below to view everyone's drawings...

Yvonne

Excellent start, Yvonne! Great eye for accurate proportions. The light and dark tones are a nice touch. Check out Getting into the Zone.
 

Jasmine

Great job in sketching light guidelines before finishing with darker outlines. Overall, your proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) are very well drawn. Nice start on the jaguar--hope to see the finished drawing :-)  Check out Getting into the Zone.

Alisa

Wonderful start! You've got a lot of control of your line work and a great eye for proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes). Check out Getting into the Zone.

Yasmin

I know holding the pencil on its side is a bit of a challenge. But with each new drawing I see more and more confidence in your line work. Excellent job on drawing the proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) of the crab.  Check out Getting into the Zone.
 

Jasmine

You're off to a wonderful start, Jasmine! Excellent how you sketched light guidelines for the shapes of things before finishing with darker outlines.  Check out Getting into the Zone.

Roxy

Your line work just keeps on improving with each new drawing! Great work in measuring and sketching accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes). Check out Getting into the Zone.

Vincent

You're starting to get used to drawing with the pencil on its side. (This will help you when you start drawing on larger paper.) You've got a great eye for proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes). Keep practicing sketching light guidelines; then finishing with darker outlines. Check out Getting into the Zone.

Anna

Your practice in drawing with the pencil on its side really shows in your sketch of the toucan! The longer curved lines are very well drawn. Nice job in sketching guidelines for accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) before adding darker outlines. The light and dark tones on the toucan are well drawn. Check out Getting into the Zone.
 

Lesson Reference Pictures