Foundations of Observational Drawing
Week 2: Basic Shapes and Forms

Exercises in drawing spheres, cubes, cylinders, and cones

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IN THIS LESSON

Objective: In this lesson, you will learn and practice drawing basic geometric shapes: spheres, cubes, cylinders, and cones. These exercises will help you develop your understanding of form, perspective, and shading.

Materials Needed:

  • Drawing paper (preferably A4 size or larger)

  • Graphite pencils (HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)

  • Erasers

  • Rulers

  • Compasses (for drawing circles)

  • Examples of geometric shapes in art (printed or digital images)

Lesson Duration: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Lesson Outline:

Introduction (10 minutes):

  1. Discussion: Let's start with a brief discussion on why understanding basic geometric shapes is crucial in art.

    • These shapes are the building blocks for more complex forms.

    • I'll show you some examples of artworks that use geometric shapes as their foundation.

  2. Objective: Here’s what we’ll aim to achieve today:

    • Develop your ability to draw and shade basic geometric shapes.

    • Understand the concepts of light, shadow, and perspective.

    • Create a sample sheet of geometric shapes.

Warm-Up Exercise (10 minutes):

  1. Basic Shape Drawing: Grab your paper and pencils.

    • I want you to draw freehand circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles.

    • Focus on accuracy and proportion.

Main Activity (60 minutes):

  1. Drawing Spheres (15 minutes):

    • Step-by-Step Guide:

      • Use your compass to draw a perfect circle.

      • Let’s talk about how to find the light source and create a gradient from light to dark to give the illusion of a sphere.

    • Shading:

      • Practice shading techniques like hatching, cross-hatching, and blending to create a smooth gradient.

      • Remember, identifying the light source and adding cast shadows is crucial.

  2. Drawing Cubes (15 minutes):

    • Step-by-Step Guide:

      • Start with a square. Use your ruler for accuracy.

      • Add parallel lines from each corner to create the 3D effect of a cube.

      • Connect the lines to complete the cube.

    • Shading:

      • Identify your light source and shade the sides of the cube accordingly.

      • Notice how different sides receive varying amounts of light, resulting in different shades.

  3. Drawing Cylinders (15 minutes):

    • Step-by-Step Guide:

      • Draw two parallel lines and connect them with ellipses at the top and bottom.

      • Drawing the ellipses correctly is key to conveying depth.

    • Shading:

      • Identify the light source and create a gradient from light to dark around the curved surface.

      • Don’t forget to add a cast shadow to ground the cylinder.

  4. Drawing Cones (15 minutes):

    • Step-by-Step Guide:

      • Draw a vertical line and an ellipse at the base.

      • Connect the top of the line to the edges of the ellipse to form the cone.

    • Shading:

      • Identify your light source and shade the curved surface of the cone.

      • Create a smooth transition from light to dark.

Conclusion and Review (10 minutes):

  1. Group Discussion:

    • Share your drawings and let’s discuss what you learned.

    • Talk about which shapes you found most challenging and which you enjoyed the most.

  2. Homework/Extension:

    • Create a small still life drawing at home using the geometric shapes we learned today.

    • Focus on composition and the interaction of light and shadow on multiple shapes.

Assessment:

  • I’ll evaluate you based on your participation, effort, and accuracy in drawing and shading geometric shapes.

  • I’ll provide feedback on your understanding of form, perspective, and light.

Tips for Success:

  • Take your time and focus on accuracy and detail.

  • I’m here to provide individual feedback and assist if you struggle with certain shapes.

  • Use positive reinforcement to build your confidence in your artistic abilities.

By the end of this lesson, you’ll have a stronger understanding of drawing and shading basic geometric shapes, providing a solid foundation for more complex forms in your artwork.