Drawing to Understand, Observe, Then Simplify
What can happen in our brain when we use art to make sense of the world around us?
During this lesson students will observe an object in their environment. They will then draw that object, focusing purely on their observations of that object. Next they will make a second drawing of the same object, pulling in artistic elements and greater accuracy. Finally, they will make a third drawing (same object) in its most simplified form.
Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to use art to interact with and interpret objects in the world around them.
Materials
- Drawing materials (pencil, pen, etc)
- 3 pieces of paper per student
- Recommended Art Example: Pablo Picasso, The Bull Lithographs, 1945
Preview Lesson Plan
Finding An Object
- Say: Today we are going to use art to observe and interact with the world around us. Your goal will be to find an object to draw. We will complete three different drawings of the same object, however they will each be focused on different elements of the object.
- Before choosing an object, you may want to show students an example of an object drawn by the same artist in multiple ways. Pablo Picasso’s The Bull Lithographs (1945) is the inspiration for this lesson. Have students view Picasso’s work and share their observations.
