Observational Drawing / Painting

Drawing

On the first day of teaching a 1st year class I asked them to choose 3 items from their bag and arrange into a composition for drawing. I asked them not to worry too much about shading and to concentrate on the contours of the objects.

1st Year student - North Presentation, Farranree

Tonal Studies and Colour Collage

For a drawing and colour exercise I asked students to look at organic forms and identify three tones (dark tones, medium tones, highlights) in a drawing. The students could then look through magazines to find three tones of colour appropriate to their object. I had prepared a visual aid to explore the practice again and as an example to show the class.

My own drawing, 'Tonal Study of Chili Pepper'

My own collage, 'Tonal Study of Chili Pepper'

These are some examples of tonal drawing and collage from 2nd year pupils from North presentation Faranree.

For a simple introduction to drawing with a Transition Year class I asked them to use either an apple or an orange half to draw in different stages. First in contour (pencil) then a tonal study in pencil using different tonal techniques and then charcoal.

Painting Organic Forms with Acrylic

I decided to paint a still life from a photograph I had taken of two apples. I then took snapshots of the painting throughout the different stages. I find that showing students the different layering of tones and colour helps them in their own work.