Week 1: Lines, Shapes, Patterns, Overlapping

Really enjoyed getting started with the Natural Bridges Sketchers! Everyone got right into learning how to measure accurate proportions and holding the pencil on its side while moving the whole arm to draw. Shown above left and right are warm-up sketches by Molley and Abel.

As they worked from reference lesson pictures, students learned about proportions (the sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) and drawing on top of mistakes. Kelly dove in with some nice sketching. His crab (upper left) shows accurate  proportions as he drew light guidelines before finishing with darker outlines. Willow's puffer fish (upper right) is a great example of drawing on top of mistakes while searching for the overall shape of its body.




Students also got into adding light and dark tones to their work. Kelly (upper left) laid down some very accurate line work and nice tones. Emilio captured accurate proportions of the puffer fish and did a great job of adding tone and the pointy texture lines.

As we progressed, everyone learned about overlapping shapes. Gianna's drawing (upper left) shows how overlapping the frog's legs gives depth to her picture. And she did a fantastic job in drawing accurate proportions!  Katia laid down a wonderful sketch of the frog (above, right).

Highlight of the day: Thairie struggled a bit with controlling the pencil, but then he got into the Zone and pulled together accurate proportions and clean line work for his frog sketch, shown at left.

To view everyone's sketches and reference pictures...

Willow

Awesome how your accuracy of proportions progressed with each new sketch. Keep practicing sketching light guidelines before adding darker outlines. Check out: Getting Into the Zone

Gianna

Excellent control of the pencil and a keen eye for accurate proportions! Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Frank

As you got used to holding the pencil on its side your line work became more accurate. Keep working on using your whole arm while drawing--it will be helpful when taking your drawings to larger formats. Hope to see more of your work in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn! Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Katia

As you settled into drawing with your pencil on its side, your line work improved dramatically. Keep practicing sketching light guidelines; then finish with darker outlines. Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Kiah

Excellent line work! The lighter and darker tones are a nice touch. Experiment with looser, freer lines while searching for accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes). Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Thairie

Keep working on sketching light guidelines before finishing with darker outlines. Aim for accurate proportions when sketching the shapes of things. Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Elijah

Excellent start in drawing with lines and shapes! Keep practicing sketching guidelines; then finish with darker outlines. The darker tones on the toucan are a nice touch. Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Kelly
Outstanding line work! Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Molley

As you got comfortable holding the pencil on its side your line work and proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) just got better and better, especially on the toucan. Keep it going! Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Emilio

Excellent job in sketching guidelines before finishing with darker outlines. Enjoyed looking at your sketchbook and hope to be adding your drawings to eXprEsSiOn sEsSiOn. Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Quinn

Off to a great start in drawing with lines and shapes! Really like how you drew on top of your mistakes while looking for accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes). Excellent job in nailing down accurate proportions of the toucan. Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Abel

As you got used to holding the pencil on its side your line work kept on improving with each new sketch. The proportions of the toucan are very well drawn. And the lighter/darker tones are a nice touch. I can see the rhythm of the music in your pencil warm-ups!  Check out: Getting Into the Zone and other students in our music videos

Lesson Reference Pictures