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

Brianna

Absolutely stellar drawing, Brianna!!!!!!!! The control of your line work really shows in the cross-hatching technique on the man's face. Excellent job of using shading to define the cheek, nose, and lips. Great job in showing the contrast between the background and the highlights forming the man's profile. Nice abstract line work, too. Got more for 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

KIra

Whoa!!!! You've pulled together some superb work, Kira! The cross-hatching forming the fox's body is well drawn. (Hope to see the background added.) Your bold, controlled line work is starting to define your drawing style. And your abstract/surreal drawing... absolutely, wonderfully abstract and surreal. Have a favorite drawing for 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

Evita

You've joined the Star Sketchers late in the game, but you are blazing ahead with fantastic work, Evita!!! The contour edges and proportions of the fox are VERY well drawn. And the cross-hatching technique on both the fox and the man's face was executed extremely well. Keep it going! Hope you can enter drawings in the Student Show. :-)

Crystal

You've really got excellent drawing skills emerging out of your latest work!!! Your great eye for composition shows in the arrangement of lines and shapes in your abstract drawing. Great start in your cross-hatch drawing of the man... excellent proportions of his face. Look forward to you pulling some cool drawings together for the Student Show.

Michael

Welcome to the Star Sketchers, Michael!! Although you haven't been drawing with us lately, you pulled together some extremely well drawn sketches. Overall, the proportions (shapes compared to other shapes) are very accurately drawn. Great effort in using positive and negative space to draw the contour edges of the egret. The patterns and tones on the jaguar are a nice touch.




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

Yessenia

Hey, Yessenia! Nice abstract drawing!!!! I know you got some other work started--hope to see it soon! Got drawings for the Student Show? The dragonfly maybe? :-)

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

Hannah

You only draw with us occasionally, but your drawing skills are amazing, Hannah!! Great line work for the start of the cross-hatch lesson. Would love to see you finish some of your pieces for 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

Freddy C.

Haven't seen you for a while, man!! This is a cool abstract/surreal drawing. Excellent composition (arrange of elements on the page)! Your skills have steadily progressed during the year and hope to see your work in the Student Show, Freddy.

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

Derek

You got focused for a great start in the cross-hatching lesson, Derek!! The control of your line work is improving with each new drawing you make. Hope you can focus on some more wonderful work for 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

Weeks 5 & 6: Proportions, Form, Contour Lines

You all made a lot of great progress drawing with contour lines and accurate proportions. Everyone also got into cool abstract drawings which I'll be posting soon.

A big welcome to our new sketcher, Crystal!

Attention all sketchers, show your best drawings! Enter your work in our Online Student Show, opening May 7, 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

See you all Friday! --Rob

Christian

Excellent! Drawings! Christian! Your eye for accurate proportions gets stronger with each new sketch you make. The control of your line work really shows in these drawings, especially in the contours of the dragonfly's body and transparent wings. Great job of drawing accurate proportions of the egret's body and head. By seeing the negative space around its body you were able to capture the 's' curve in the neck.The shading of the body and neck is a step to drawing realistically. And you did an awesome job of drawing the 3D angle of the jaguar's body.

Kira

Really, REALLY awesome job of drawing accurate proportions of the dog!!! The facial features are very well drawn, especially the details of the nose. The contour lines that form the folds of the ears and curves of the eyes look realistic and give 3D form to your drawing. Wouldn't it be cool to figure out a way to use your drawing skills in studying to become a veterinarian. :-)

Michael

Welcome to Star Sketchers, Michael!!! You're truly off to an excellent start in drawing with lines and shapes! The proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) of the crab, puffer fish, monster truck, and jaguar are accurately drawn. Compare your drawing of the crab to the reference picture. Are the sizes of the claws, compared to its body, drawn accurately? Great job of showing the 3D angle of the jaguar's head and body. By seeing the negative space around the egret's body you drew accurate contour edges forming its body, neck, and head. Keep drawing light guidelines for the shapes of things; then finishing with darker outlines or contour lines.