Sliced and Diced Form Drawing
Advanced High School Art Lesson – Sliced & Diced Form Drawing
Resources: Original idea Found on senior.billings.k12.mt.us (credit goes to them-they are the original author of this lesson although I can not find anything other than a picture-no names that I can find)
This is how my high school art class created this cool drawing…
DAY 1-2
Objectives: Students will draw the 6 Basic 3D forms: Sphere, Cylinder, Donuts, Cone, Pyramid, & Cube/Rectangular Prism. They will learn how to accurately “slice” through the forms to see inside them and render with full shading. They will then create a composition using cuts and slices of the 6 basic shapes.
Preparation: Get out small geometric forms (I like to have one set per 2-4 people)
Delivery/Activity: 6 Basic Forms (Teacher Guided Demo)
- 6 Basic Forms: Sphere, Cylinder, Donuts, Cone, Pyramid, & Cube/Rectangular Prism
- Point of view-how do forms change based on your viewpoint of them?
- Contour Surface Lines–Lines that show the variations in the depth on a surface
- What do contour lines look like on various forms?
- Practice drawing forms with contour surface lines (remember curved surfaces need curved lines, flat surfaces need flat lines. *Best to follow the edges)
- How does lighting affect values on forms
- Practice drawing forms with strong spot light, render with full shading with drawing pencil set.
Activity #1: Drawing Forms & How to Slice them
Teacher Guided Demonstration (2-3 Classes) How to draw 6 basic forms, how to slice into them to make cut-out (draw in sketchbooks). See handouts below.
Materials Needed: Geometric forms, drawing pencils, sketchbook, spot lights
Click on the images below for full view (all images Copyright Michelle East)
Day 3+: Project: Sliced Form Drawing
Project Objectives: Create a dynamic composition using the six basic forms: Sphere, Cylinder, Donuts, Cone, Pyramid, & Cube/Rectangular Prism. Draw in cuts, slices & dices into each of the forms. Keep a consistent light source and render the composition with FULL range of values using your drawing pencil set
Supplies: 9×12′ or 12×18″ Drawing Paper, Drawing Pencil Sets. Rulers
Project Instructions:
SKETCH
- In your sketchbook, draw out at least 2 thumbnail sketches (Quiz Grade) experimenting with the placement and size of the six basic forms in your composition: Sphere, Cylinder, Donuts, Cone, Pyramid, & Cube/Rectangular Prism.
- Create a focal point by placing your larger object (also with the most value contrast) in one of the Rules of Thirds.
- You must include at least 2 of each form. That is the MINIMUM amount- draw in as much as you need to create the best design!
- Use overlapping of forms to create depth in your drawing. Vary the sizes & view points for interest.
DRAW FINAL
- LIGHTLY draw your design onto a sheet of 12×18” drawing paper. You will obviously enlarge your design. You may use ruler & circle (for template)
- In your final design, cut open and slice up the forms so we can see through to the back side. Create openings to give interest.
- It is okay to have a few forms that are not cut or sliced, but at least on of each type of form must have cuts or slices.
SHADING
Keep a consistent light source and render the composition with a FULL range of values from black to complete white.
Evaluation: Visual-did students accurately draw forms in their still life, how did they use the space on the paper, does each form have consistent lighting, is each form rendered with a full range of values?
If you choose to use the information in this post (written or photo), please link back to my blog Create Art with ME.