Week 4 - Approaches to Drawing

This was the drawing week.  As seems to be the pattern, I enjoyed this class a lot as well.  I was often surprised how much I just loved getting to use something I had never used before.  In this case it was the charcoal.  It made me feel like I was a real art student, like I could actually create something really amazing. 

Reflection:  The first thing we did was try drawing by not looking at our papers, and just by focusing on the object we were drawing (in this case our hands).  This was a fun activity because most people came out with a comical looking drawing of a slightly demented (or very demented in some cases) hand!  This would be a good way for students to connect and to build community in the classroom.  I would adapt this lesson by getting students to draw something simpler, like a juice box or a pencil or eraser. 

After this initial not looking at the paper we proceeded to try and draw other things by still trying to focus most of our time on the object while only referencing the paper.  This was such a cool project.  I really found when I began focusing more on my paper my drawing began looking less and less like the object I was drawing.  I struggled to not look at the paper at first, but then began trusting my hands and eyes more as time progressed.  I was really proud of what I was able to create and would have loved to have continued drawing for the whole time.

We also did texture rubbings which were so much fun.  I was proud of the fun collage I created.  I would definitely do this with my Grade 1 class.

I wasn’t as good with the next activity: gesture drawings.  I had a great time, my end product just wasn’t as “pretty”.  Okay, not really pretty, just less accurate looking.  I would have liked a little more introduction or instruction on how to best do the gesture drawings. 

Adaptations:  I would like to try this with a class, but I may not use the charcoal.  I think I would have to further research options for within the class as well, because I think this was an activity I myself was weak at. 

Assessment:  This is where I feel assessment would get tricky.   Once you have an activity where students are trying to draw or re-create something I think it would be hard to not judge their work based on how close to the real object it looks.  Also, this would be when I bet you would start seeing students get discouraged if their piece was not looking like the object as well.  I’m really not sure how to combat that.  Do you just encourage all students and hope that the encouragement will be enough to sustain their interest?