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Observational Drawings

The best and fastest way to improve your drawing skills is by building your powers of observation, understanding of proportion and ability to depict real life.

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TASK: Everyday, for one week, spend at least 30 minutes drawing from observation (real life objects, people or animals you can watch in person) on the same drawing. (This is 2 hours total if you draw for 4 days.)

Options for observational drawings:
  • Still Life -gather 3-5 interesting objects and set them up in an interesting arrangement. Watch this video to see how to arrange a good still life. 
  • Draw what you see outside
  • Work on a self portrait by looking in the mirror
  • Draw any object, person or animal you have at home to observe.
  • Do your best to draw them HOW they LOOK realistically. Add shading or color. Still life can also be fun to paint. 

    ​OPTIONAL: Take a picture of your still life to help with your drawing. 

Things to consider

What I am looking for.
  • 2 or more objects drawn carefully with shading or color. (Not just an outline) 
  • Finished art shows evidence that you watched the VIDEO first!
  • ​Think about composition (where you decide to place objects on the paper) tips here
  • Do a quick thumbnail sketch or two to practice drawing the objects and work out your composition.
  • Draw! Make a full page drawing now. Try using visual measuring to establish angles and find correct proportions. 
  • When finished, take a picture and upload to Blackbaud and the group slideshow.
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