Sketchbook Assignment:
Create a still life of 3-5 objects artfully arranged. They can be random objects that look interesting to draw, or they can be objects that are meaningful to you. If you're new to drawing, keep the objects simple and don't worry about shading, just get a good outline.
If you would like to add shading, it's easier to see shadows and highlights if you use a desk light to cast direct light from the side in a dim room. If you leave and come back, be sure to view it from the same angle every time. Also, keep the background simple.
Lightly sketch the outline of the objects, paying attention to where lines overlap and intersect and which direction they angle. It's harder than it seems! Don't worry if it's not perfect. This is just an exercise to get you looking carefully at lines and angles.
These examples were done by middle school students, and represent beginner, intermediate, and advanced. We'll have a variety of skill levels in our class, and it won't depend on age. It will depend on how much you have practiced in the past. Please don't compare your work to others. Instead, watch for progress throughout the year. "Comparison is the thief of joy."
If you would like to add shading, it's easier to see shadows and highlights if you use a desk light to cast direct light from the side in a dim room. If you leave and come back, be sure to view it from the same angle every time. Also, keep the background simple.
Lightly sketch the outline of the objects, paying attention to where lines overlap and intersect and which direction they angle. It's harder than it seems! Don't worry if it's not perfect. This is just an exercise to get you looking carefully at lines and angles.
These examples were done by middle school students, and represent beginner, intermediate, and advanced. We'll have a variety of skill levels in our class, and it won't depend on age. It will depend on how much you have practiced in the past. Please don't compare your work to others. Instead, watch for progress throughout the year. "Comparison is the thief of joy."
Beginner
Advanced
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Intermediate
This is a nice set up for shading.
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Art Appreciation Assignment:
The Sources of Country Music, 1975 Mural in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN
This is the artwork we discussed in class. Find a song that you think "sounds" like the painting by researching a key word on YouTube or Spotify. For instance: cowboy song, fiddle song, square-dance song, banjo song, hammered dulcimer song, etc.
Here is a song I found by Johnny Cash about the Wabash Cannonball Train, which Benton based his train on. Seems fitting!
Write down the title and artist of your song in the Art Appreciation Homework section of your sketchbook to show me in class. We'll listen to a few together next class.
Here is a song I found by Johnny Cash about the Wabash Cannonball Train, which Benton based his train on. Seems fitting!
Write down the title and artist of your song in the Art Appreciation Homework section of your sketchbook to show me in class. We'll listen to a few together next class.