PVC Pipe Charcoal Drawing

PVC Pipe Still Life Charcoal Drawing

Grades: 6th + Up Grade

Objectives: Students will review drawing angles of lines, curved lines, and ellipses by using fluid motion of swinging from the shoulder and elbow, proportion & point of view. Analyze angles of objects and the slants of the contour edges by using the sighting techniques. They will learn how to construct a cylinder and use directional lines to draw PVC pipes accurately. They will use a pencil to check proportions and compare proportions of various PVC pipes within the still life composition.

Delivery/Activity: Degrees of Curvature

Delivery/Demonstration will be intermixed with activity.

Review Point of View–How does YOUR point of view affect objects-cylinders & spheres *Show Examples, discuss visible changes. Circles change into ellipses when our point of view of the object changes. If we look directly down at a cylinder, a can, we will see a full circle. As we lower our position to one side, the opening of the ellipses becomes more and more narrow until we cannot see inside the cylinder any longer. At eye level, the ellipse appears to be a straight line (at eye level).
Drawing Curved Lines:
1. Activity 1: Sketching curved lines from different points of view. *Remember to draw loosely from your shoulder and elbow (very little from the wrist). Draw a horizontal line in the middle of your paper. On the left side of the paper draw curved lines (at least 6) starting at the horizon line only slightly curved and getting more and more curved the further they are away from that line. Do the same thing above the horizontal line. (Teacher Demo)
Drawing Ellipses: Draw some circles-Swing your arm from the elbow & mostly the shoulder. Allow your movements to be free & loose. Begin making a circle-go round & round until you get it right. Remember to draw lightly! After you have a good circle begin making a series of ellipses beginning almost the width of a circle and progressively squashing to become thinner. (Teacher Demo)
Video & Activity: A Drawing Exercise Every Beginner Artists Should Do (Draw Better Circles & Ellipses)

Activity 2: Practice drawing different ellipses of degrees of curvatures (at different eye levels) on your paper. Start with a horizontal line in the middle of the paper then add ellipses above and below the line. The ellipses should show different degrees of “squishiness” -how narrow or wide the ellipses is (my term). They will eventually become a full circle the further they are away from the horizon line (eye-level).

Drawing Cylinders & Cylindrical Objects To draw a cylinder, start with top ellipse, then the bottom ellipse, draw lightly so you can erase lines. Then draw the side lines. Turn your paper if it makes it easier to draw the straight lines. (Teacher Demo)
1. Activity 1: Practice drawing plain cylinders with lines & ellipses. (Aluminum cans, Pringles Chips Cans, etc)
2. Activity 2: Timed sketches of PVC pipes. Set up one pipe section per student; make sure to have different styles of pipes and place them from different points of view. Give them 4 minutes to draw the pipes from direct observation. Rotate around to different seats.
3. Sketchbook Assignment: PVC Pipes: Choose 3-5 PVC pipe joint connectors and arrange them in an interesting composition. Draw the PVC pipe composition. Use drawing pencils to add shading-pay close attention to value changes. Shading should include the “5 Elements of Shading”. Medium: Drawing Pencils

Pre-Project Art Technique Instruction: Charcoal Techniques Lesson Plan & Worksheet (NEW-includes PVC Pipe Practice!)

Charcoal Drawing Techniques Lesson Plan & Worksheet
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We also practiced charcoal on a simple PVC pipe drawing I did & copied onto bogus paper.

Project: PVC Pipe Charcoal Drawing

Project Objectives: Create an accurate and interesting composition using 3 PVC pipes (some can be combined to create one form). Render the drawing with full shading exemplifying the 5 Elements of Shading, show hard and soft shadows and lost/found edges. Mid-tones should remain the color of toned paper, use black and white charcoal to render the remaining values.

Supplies: 1 3/4″ PVC Pipes with various lengths & connections (apply a little petroleum jelly so they will come apart easily), Sargent Art Non-Toxic Square Compressed Charcoal Pastel, 3/8 X 2-3/8 in, Pure Black, Pack of 12, Derwent Charcoal Pencils (Black and White), Pack, 4 Count (39000), blending stubs/tortillions, 12×18″ Paper (*Bogus/toned, pastel or drawing)

Project Instructions:

Place 4-6 students in a group. Have them choose 3-7 pieces of PVC pipe to arrange into an interesting composition. Some pieces can be connected to become one piece. The goal is to have three PVC pipes for the final composition.
Student light draw the composition of PVC Pipes with drawing pencils first.
Place a spot light on the still life.
Render the drawing with a FULL rand of values: Drawings should exemplify the 5 Elements of Shading, show hard and soft shadows and lost/found edges.
1. Use black and white charcoal pencils for the PVC pipes (easier to control) and charcoal sticks for the background only.