How to Draw Basics: Materials and Value
This course is designed to teach you about drawing materials: what you need and what you don’t, how to care for these materials, and how to use them.
Adria W.
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(323)
What's included
1 live meeting
1 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. No formal homework will be assigned, but learners are encouraged to review and practice concepts taught in class.Assessment
To remove the stress of what is sometimes a very daunting course of study, your learners will not have tests, quizzes, or formal grades in the class. Instead, I utilize positive verbal critiques to provide feedback and encourage improvement. However, if grades are requested I will provide them via rubrics that will suggest a grade. Learners progress will be gauged by the completion of their assignments, execution of techniques, contributions in critique sessions, and their class presence (being on-time, listening when I am speaking, and how they communicate with peers).Grading
includedClass Experience
When you walk inside your local art supply store, you may feel amazed and overwhelmed with all the fun stuff packed into the shelves. Who knew that pencils come in a variety of grades? What is the difference between charcoal sticks, pencils, powders, and vines? Why are there so many different types of erasers and which ones do I really need? Or maybe you received an art kit from a friend or family member and have no idea what half the tools in there are. If this sounds familiar, then look no further! How to Draw Basics: 101 Materials is designed to teach you about drawing materials: what you really need and what you don’t basic care, and how to use the materials. No background knowledge is required for this class. In fact, come with questions! How to Draw Basics: Materials will teach learners through a combination of lecture and hands on experience. Together, we will go through a PowerPoint lecture to help explain and visualize all our different materials and their basic care. While some of these materials, such as pencils, may seem self-explanatory, some are more complicated than they appear. For example, graphite drawing pencils are not the same as the #2 pencil your learner is used to using. They vary in hardness and color and have a tactile difference on the page. Once the materials are explained, students will begin a value study or scale with the help of their value study print-out. Creation of scales teaches learners about values: what they are, how to create them, and, eventually, how to apply them to drawings. Learners will have the opportunity to create both a graphite and charcoal scale that will allow them to practice drawing with a variety of materials. Learners should come away from class with a wealth of knowledge on basic drawing materials, understand how to care for and respect their tools, and a sense of artistic responsibility. They will also come away with a graphite and charcoal value study that they will be able to use for reference in their art. Time permitting, students may have the option to practice an observational drawing of an object or two. ***I recommend taking my one-time How to Draw Basics classes in the following order: #1: Materials and Value #2: Contours #3: Light and Value #4: Composition
Learning Goals
o Know what the “grades” on graphite pencils are and how to read them
o Know basic art materials and how to use & care for them
o Understand and be able to define what a “value” and “value study/scale” are
o Have completed a successful value study
Other Details
Supply List
***MATERIALS*** Your student will need: - A range of graphite drawing pencils including 4H, 2H, HB, B, 2B, 4B, and 6B - Polymer or vinyl eraser -The value study at the end of the PDF provided. These materials should cost less then $25.00 and are multi-purpose. They can be used outside of this course. Your student may want to purchase these optional materials if they are interested in taking any other HTDB class: -Willow or vine charcoal (Our value study assignment has the option for charcoal, but it isn't required) -Kneaded eraser -Sketchbook I provide two PDF's for this class: -A syllabus with course information, vocabulary, and worksheets -An in-depth materials guide
2 files available upon enrollment
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
As a child, I was always disappointed in art classes that taught crafts rather than artistic technique. I am delighted to be able to offer classes that emphasize fine art techniques through the lens of naturalism on Outschool. Naturalism is a method of learning to draw with three principles in mind: understanding of the subject, observational skills, and practice of artistic technique. Through this method and practice, learners can draw anything. Completion of my courses will result in a learner who is engaged with art and understands basic art technique. Even students who are not aspiring artists have much to gain from drawing and should consider taking art courses, including improvement of hand-eye coordination and hand dexterity skills.
Along with my bachelor’s degree in art history and studio art from a premier liberal arts institution in Ohio, I also have a little over four years of experience in teaching. Three of those years I have also been on Outschool! I have taught homeschoolers, unschoolers, and undergraduate students of all ages. My background in art history means that my classes are created with an art historical twist- all my methods are based on tried and true techniques and practices that master artists and art theorists have used. Your student will not only be learning about techniques that are fundamental to art, they will be examining examples of these techniques by artists. The juxtaposition of these examples is meant to inspire and solidify the importance of the fundamental art techniques I teach.
Reviews
Live One-Time Class
$12
per classMeets once
60 min
Completed by 86 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-16
1-8 learners per class
