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To see the latest student drawings from the Star Sketchers as well as our new Scribbles Institute drawing studio at 303 Potrero #59 Santa Cruz, California 831.421.0774:
Drawing League schools and student work: Click here
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What Do You Want to Draw Today?

Weeks 7-10: Form, Contours, Tonal Values, Positive/Negative Space, Perspective

The Star Sketchers stepped up their drawing skills by learning to create study sketches that show the roundness and contours of pumpkins, squash, shells and various objects. Students concentrated on drawing accurate proportions as they explored using large format paper and charcoal and studied texture, light, and shadows.

Upper left is a large-format pumpkin contour study by Alex. Upper right, Star Sketchers at work. Lower left is a pumpkin study sketch by Jose, and to the right is his large-format charcoal drawing.

Above left is a study sketch by Alex and above right is a study sketch by Nichole, showing the curved contours of the pumpkin.  



Drawing from real objects, Nichole sketched accurate proportions of the form and texture of a broom (above left) and Issac pulled together a tight contour study of a lantern.
 

Brianna continued her exploration of artists in history. Above left and right are her drawings comparing a realistic still life to a cubist still life by Picasso.

Students also got into 1 and 2-point perspective. Above left is Jose's boxes and above right is Nichole's building drawn in 2-point perspective.

Students continued to work at different skill levels as they completed lessons on lines, shapes, form, contours, tonal values, and proportion. Upper left is a dog by Taelyn; upper right is an aloe plant contour drawing by Sonya; lower left is a tiger by Mollie; and a dragonfly by Josh.

Click 'Read more' below to view everyone's drawings and Rob's comments...

Weeks 3-6: Contours, Form, Positive/Negative Space, Proportion, and Getting Abstract

After studying artwork by artists such as Kandinsky and Mondrian for ideas, the Star Sketchers drew their own abstract compositions.  Scroll down to view everyone's drawings.

Shown clockwise, starting upper left, are drawings by Adriana, Nichole, Yazmeen, and Sara

The dragonfly drawing by Elizabeth (upper left) and Maribel's jaguar (upper right) show how students have been exploring accuracy in proportions and contour edges.

Students also learned about positive and negative space and drawing realistic form. Issac's study sketches of the egret (above) show how he used negative space to find the contour edges of its body.

Brianna continues her study of artists in history with her drawing of a Picasso still life, shown above. Also, be sure to check out Nichole's drawing, along with other student work, in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn: Click here


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

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

Fun to be back drawing with the Star Sketchers again! We got started with warm-ups that helped everyone learn to hold the pencil on its side and use  the whole arm while drawing. Warm-up sketches by Sonja (upper left) and Issac (upper right) done at the beginning of class. Our focus for the past two weeks has been learning how to measure proportions (the sizes of shapes compared to other shapes).



 
While looking at reference lesson pictures, we sketched lines and shapes of animals while mapping out proportions. Elizabeth's sketch of the tiger (upper left) and Adriana's puffer fish (upper right) show accurate line work and proportions.

 
We learned the importance of sketching light guidelines of shapes and drawing on top of mistakes. Sara's toucan (upper left) is an excellent example of guidelines and an eye for accurate proportions. Sonja's toucan (upper right) shows how she made changes to her guidelines and final outlines by drawing on top of her mistakes.





Nichole got into the Zone as she did study sketches to find the proportions of the jaguar, shown above. She finished by drawing its 3D form and added patterns for its fur coat and tail.

Click 'Read more' below to view everyone's sketches and reference pictures...

Online Student Show, 2010

What a Year! The Online Student Show features student drawings from six different schools in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties. The theme of the show is Drawing from Observation and Imagination. All students have drawings posted!

To see your drawings and other students: Click here

Weeks 7,8,9: Abstract Drawing, Cross-Hatching

Alright, Star Sketchers you're in the last weeks of the school year and heading toward the home stretch! You're all focused on learning some new skills and selecting work for the Student Show. We had fun getting into using cross-hatching and stipple drawing techniques.

Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here

We've got cool things to draw in the weeks ahead. See you! --Rob

Christian

Your skills in drawing from observation and imagination are progressing tremendously, man!!! Way cool abstract drawing--great use of lines, shapes, and patterns! Really nice cross-hatching technique and accurate proportions on the man's face. Great shading to show the definition of the nose and lips. Excellent start on the contours of the fox. Look forward to seeing what you'd like to submit to the Student Show.




Student Drawing Show 2010 Deadline Extended! Because of testing, the deadline to submit your drawings is the week of May 10-14. Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 18, 2010. Your drawings will be featured with students from other schools in the Drawing League Gallery. Choose 2 of your favorites, either from your lesson drawings or work you've created during your own time at school. One drawing is to be from observation (drawing things you're looking at) and the second drawing is to be from your imagination. For Details: Click here