Twig Drawings-Finding beauty in simple objects

Students in 11th period drawing class completed a close observational study of a simple twig. Using charcoal, a q-tip and an eraser, students completed large value drawings of the twigs. Students concentrated on the highlights and shadows found on the twigs and also the textures on the twig.

Here is a group of the drawings displayed on one of the bulletin boards in the classroom.


Individual Twig Drawings:

By Bailey S.


By Hayley T.


By Missy J.


By Keegan H.


By Matt S.

Students also completed a small ink drawing of their twig. Students used India ink on watercolor paper.

Here are a couple of examples:


By Katie G.


By Mariah B.

Nature Drawings

Students in the drawing class were to draw 3 nature objects from observation. Before beginning the drawing students created a ground on their paper by shading it lightly with a #2 pencil. The nature objects were drawn on top of the ground. Highlights were taken out with an eraser and shadows were created by shading areas.
Here are some of the results:


By Chantel S.


By Emily T.


By Bailey S.


By Colin B.

For our first "real" drawing project we will be doing a collection of nature drawings from observation. Students will need to draw at least 7 different nature objects and use at least three different drawing media.