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...

Nichole

Great start in drawing accurate proportions! Check out Getting into the Zone.

Sara

Excellent eye for accurate proportions, Sara! Check out Getting into the Zone.

Elizabeth

Each time you made a new drawing, your line work improved! Keep practicing drawing light guidelines; then finishing with darker outlines. Check out Getting into the Zone.

Maribel

Your gaining control of your pencil with each new sketch! Nice light and dark tones on the toucan and fish. Excellent proportions on the tiger face. Check out Getting into the Zone.
 

Sonja

Love the line work on these sketches! Great job of sketching guidelines before finishing with darker outlines. Check out Getting into the Zone.

Adriana

You finished the day with confident line work on your toucan! Great proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) on the puffer fish. Practice sketching light guidelines before finishing with darker outlines. Check out Getting into the Zone.

Lyssa

Excellent effort in making corrections of the proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) of the puffer fish and toucan. Keep practicing drawing right on top of your mistakes until you find accurate shapes of things. Check out Getting into the Zone.

Yazmeen

As you progressed through the lessons, the proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) got more and more accurate. Great job! The lighter and darker tones on the toucan are a nice touch! Check out Getting into the Zone.

Angel

As you got into the Zone the accuracy of your proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) improved dramatically. Great job on the overall proportions of the puffer fish. Keep practicing sketching light guidelines for the shapes of things before finishing with darker outlines.

Issac

Excellent work in sketching the overall shape of the puffer fish. The proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) are right on! Great job of sketching on top of mistakes, like in the toucan drawing, while searching for accurate proportions. Check out Getting into the Zone.

Ivonne

You're off to a great start in drawing with lines and shapes! Overall, the proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) of the puffer fish are very well drawn. Keep practicing sketching light guidelines for the shapes of things before finishing with darker outlines. Check out Getting into the Zone.

Derek

Great proportions on your animal sketches! NICE start on your abstract sketches, man! Check out Getting into the Zone.

Brianna

Nice to see you drawing again! You nailed the proportions of the crab. And you got a great start on the Picasso still life.  Check out Getting into the Zone.

Lesson Reference Pictures