Justin

Welcome to Rancho Cielo Sketchers, Justin!! You're off to a great start in drawing with lines and shapes. Holding your pencil on its side was a bit of challenge for you, but you got the hang of it while drawing large on the paper. Excellent job in drawing accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) of the crab and puffer fish. I really like how you drew light guidelines for the basic shapes; then finished with darker outlines.

Jorge

Glad to have you drawing with us, Jorge!! Excellent start in drawing with lines and shapes. You've got a good eye for drawing proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes). The proportions of the crab and puffer fish are accurately drawn. Holding your pencil on its side was a challenge for you, but it got easier for you as you kept drawing. Your line work shows lots of control.

Eric H.

Welcome to Rancho Cielo Sketchers, Eric!! Great start, man! I know that holding your pencil on its side was difficult for you, but you stayed with it and drew VERY accurate proportions (sizes of shapes compared to other shapes) of the crab. You started by lightly drawing guidelines for the overall shapes of its body and claws; then you finished with clean, darker outlines. Keep practicing sketching guidelines while looking for accurate proportions.

Reference Picture: Dragonfly

Go for accuracy while sketching basic shapes for the proportions of its body and wings. Finish with heavier contour lines of its body and thinner lines to show the transparency of the wings.

Click on picture to view larger or printout

Getting into the Zone

Imagine playing your favorite video game (or a sport or activity you do well), and getting your best-ever score. Every move you make scores mega-points! You're in a state of mind where everything flows naturally without having to think about it. You're in the Zone.

In drawing, being in the Zone is when you don't have to think about what you're drawing. Everything seems to flow out of the tip of your pencil. Each time you draw, it takes a little time to find the Zone (just like when you're playing video games). But with practice it gets easier and easier to naturally drop into it. And when you're in the Zone, your drawings will amaze you!

Week Three: Patterns, Texture, Form

Rancho Cielo Sketchers are stepping it up!! On Tuesday everyone learned about patterns and texture. LOTS of progress was made in students taking their skills to the next level, including Enrique's and Chris' sketches showing accurate proportions! Scroll down to see your drawings.

Check out Wells' cool drawing in eXpReSsiOn sEsSiOn: Click Here

Okay! Ready for a challenge?...


Drawing Challenge: Get Abstract!
For those of you who have time, here's a little challenge for you to do this week: create an abstract drawing. Abstract artwork doesn't show people, places, or things. Use the whole sheet of paper--draw big! Use your imagination! Add any abstract lines, shapes, patterns, and tones (black and gray) to fill your composition.

Examples of artwork by big-time abstract artists to give you ideas: Click here

Get ready to draw contour lines on Tuesday. C ya! --Rob

Juan

Your eye for accuracy keeps improving, Juan!! EXCELLENT job of drawing the proportions of the lizard! You did a great job of including the patterns and textures. The gray tones showing different values of color are a really nice touch. Great start in drawing the contour edges of the jaguar. The angle of its body is very well drawn, making it look 3D.

Drawing Challenge: Get Abstract!
For those of you who have time, here's a little challenge for you to do this week: create an abstract drawing. Abstract artwork doesn't show people, places, or things. Use the whole sheet of paper--draw big! Use your imagination! Add any abstract lines, shapes, patterns, and tones (black and gray) to fill your composition.

Examples of artwork by big-time abstract artists to give you ideas: Click here