This lesson plan has four sections:
- Sequential List of Core Lessons
- About Drawspace Lessons
- Copyright Basics for Artists
- For Art Educators
As an Aside
Lessons in this topic are included in the course-in-a-book: Drawing on Your Brain (Second Edition):
http://tinyurl.com/hnxpbl6
Figure 0
Topic 2.2 lessons are designed to strengthen visual intelligence, creativity, memory, and drawing skills with richly-illustrated resources and activities. Current and insightful research also helps demystify the relationship between drawing and the brain.
Sequential List of Core Lessons
These 36 lessons are designed to be completed in the order listed in this section. The information, skills, and/or techniques in each lesson build on the previous lesson and prepare you for the next.
Figure 1
LESSON 1
2.2.R1 Exploring the Space Between Your Ears
An introduction to the physical components of the skull and brain
Figure 2
LESSON 2
2.2.R2 Drawing on Both Sides of Your Brain
An introduction to how your brain works with a focus on hemispheric functionality and creativity
Figure 3
LESSON 3
2.2.R14 Introduction to Plotting and Dotting
Using a simple visual technique to identify key points on a reference image to help draw a subject accurately
Figure 4
LESSON 4
2.2.A28 Outline a Simple Subject in a Square
Use plotting and dotting to accurately outline the curved lines of a subject inside a square drawing space
Figure 5
LESSON 5
2.2.A3 Ready! Set! Go Draw!
Outline squares on your drawing paper and accurately draw lines and shapes inside your squares
Figure 6
LESSON 6
2.2.R3 Enhancing Your Visual Intelligence
Insights into how your vision and brain work together to strengthen your visual intelligence
Figure 7
LESSON 7
2.2.R17 Where Realism and Fantasy Meet
Examining a peaceful scene to find subliminal faces lurking within its mountainous terrain
Figure 8
LESSON 8
2.2.A1 Turn a Doodle Into Contour Drawings
Draw a doodle, identify familiar shapes, and then transform them into contour drawings
Figure 9
LESSON 9
2.2.R15 Drawing on Your Memory
Techniques for seeing and remembering subjects so you can translate your memories into drawings
Figure 10
LESSON 10
2.2.A18 Draw Still Life from Memory
Draw a familiar object from memory; then, use a memory-enhancement technique to recall more details as you draw it again
Figure 11
LESSON 11
2.2.R4 Horizontal and Vertical Comparisons
Comparing horizontal and vertical spaces to find clues for accurately rendering a broad range of drawing subjects
Figure 12
LESSON 12
2.2.A29 Calibrate Your Visual Perception
Discover how accurately you visually measure distances, and explore ways to compensate for recurring inaccuracies
Figure 13
LESSON 13
2.2.A5 Outline a Duck by Identifying Visual Clues
Accurately outline a duck-shaped candle by examining shapes and visually measuring spaces
Figure 14
LESSON 14
2.2.A22 Plot, Dot, and Draw Inside Squares
Visually measure distances and use plotting and dotting to practice accurately outlining 24 designs inside squares
Figure 15
LESSON 15
2.2.R10 Ok - What's With The Pencil?
The answer to the age-old question: "why do artists hold up pencils in front of whatever they're drawing?"
Figure 16
LESSON 16
2.2.A7 Draw with Lines, Spaces, and Shapes
Create 22 drawings by comparing lines, shapes,and spaces to each other and the sides of the drawing space
Figure 17
LESSON 17
2.2.R8 Identifying Shapes in Subjects
The process of visually breaking down a complex subject into simple shapes
Figure 18
LESSON 18
2.2.A16 Frontal View of a Horse's Head
Draw a horse in three steps: sketch accurate proportions, outline shapes, and add shading with hatching
Figure 19
LESSON 19
2.2.R18 Drawing on the Magic of Symmetry
Diverse artworks demonstrate practical applications of techniques used for drawing/painting symmetrical subjects
Figure 20
LESSON 20
2.2.A2 Draw with Simple Symmetry
Outline 36 squares (or print three pages), and then examine one reference image at a time to draw 36 symmetrical designs
Figure 21
LESSON 21
2.2.A6 Draw a Symmetrical Design
Outline symmetrical curved and straight lines on each side of a line of symmetry
Figure 22
LESSON 22
2.2.A4 Draw Two Faces and a Vase
Follow along with step-by-step illustrated instructions to create an optical illusion
Figure 23
LESSON 23
2.2.A23 Turn Shapes into People
Outline two or more symmetrical, circular shapes and then turn each into a fun human face
Figure 24
LESSON 24
2.2.A9 Draw Linus Upside Down
Sketch a symmetrical cartoon lion upside down to challenge your visual intelligence, and then add details and shading
Figure 25
LESSON 25
2.2.A10 Draw Grendel Gremlin Sideways
Use a horizontal line of symmetry and reference images turned sideways to create an accurate contour drawing
Figure 26
LESSON 26
2.2.R9 Exploring Positive and Negative Spaces
Understanding the process of identifying positive and negative spaces to help you draw accurately
Figure 27
LESSON 27
2.2.A11 Draw the Negative Space of Chairs
Create two negative space drawings of chairs: one from a photo reference and another from life
Figure 28
LESSON 28
2.2.A12 Contour Negative Spaces
Outline 10 negative spaces and use your artistic license to transform each into a unique drawing
Figure 29
LESSON 29
2.2.R5 Checking Out Drawing Spaces
Examine subjects inside drawing spaces to gain insights into selecting drawing spaces for your own subjects
Figure 30
LESSON 30
2.2.A14 Plot, Dot, and Draw Inside Squares
Draw a mystery subject in grid squares by using contour lines that seamlessly join other lines in adjacent squares
Figure 31
LESSON 31
2.2.A24 Overlapping Parts of Cuddles
Create the illusion of depth by using a grid to accurately outline the various overlapping sections of a cartoon snake
Figure 32
LESSON 32
2.2.R16 Turning Plotted Dots Into a Drawing
How to accurately outline the contours of a complex subject by identifying and drawing through various reference points
Figure 33
LESSON 33
2.2.A13 Plot, Dot, and Draw a Manikin
Use points of reference marked on a photo to render a proportionally-accurate contour drawing of a manikin
Figure 34
LESSON 34
2.2.A15 Contour a Human Brain
Use either plotting and dotting in a grid or only your visual skills to outline a detailed drawing of a human brain
Figure 35
LESSON 35
2.2.A26 Crisscross Patterned Shading
Challenge your visual intelligence and mental acuity as you draw sets of parallel lines that create patterned shading
Figure 36
LESSON 36
2.2.A21 Crisscrossing a Surreal Scene
Outline a simple scene and use crisscrossed sets of straight hatching lines to add patterned shading
About Drawspace Lessons
Drawspace is logically organized into lessons, topics, and modules:
- Lessons: Drawspace lessons are the foundation of Drawspace on which all books and courses are created.
- Topics: A topic is a container for a series of related lessons that are separated into two categories: resources and activities.
- Modules: A module is a container for a series of related topics.
Each series of related lessons is grouped together in a topic, and each series of related topics is grouped together in a module. Each Drawspace lesson is either a resource (requires no supplies) or an activity (requires supplies).
Resource: Information and/or Demonstrations
A resource (R) lesson is a heavily-illustrated mini textbook of information. Resources discuss and/or demonstrate art-related topics such as techniques, skills, styles, artists, philosophy, and/or history. The information in each resource serves as a reference for one or more related call-to-action activity lessons.
Activity: Call-to-Action Requiring Supplies
An activity (A) is a call-to-action assignment or project that requires supplies. Each activity includes a list of all supplies needed to complete the assignment(s).
Naming Conventions for Lessons
Each Drawspace lesson is assigned a unique number/letter curriculum code based on its:
- Module number
- Topic number in a module
- Type of lesson: Resource (R) or Activity (A)
- Rank (sequential ranking in a resource or activity)
An example of curriculum code for a published lesson is:
1.1.R15 Understanding Talent: Module 1; Topic 1; Resource R; Rank 15
In addition to a unique curriculum code, each lesson is also assigned a unique Drawspace Publishing ISBN number, which is then legally-registered with Library and Archives Canada and The Canadian ISBN Service System (CISS).
Sizing Up the Sidebars
Scattered throughout most lessons are sidebars filled with useful information related to the topics being discussed. There are six different types of sidebars and each is easily identified by a simple icon.
ArtSpeak
Definitions of visual art terms with a focus on the vocabulary of drawing and painting to help you better understand the content of lessons.
As an Aside
Inspirational and/or informative art-related information, such as contemporary and historical artists and their experiences and philosophies.
Tip!
Invaluable info to save you time, energy, and frustration by suggesting easier ways to do some tasks or how to take better care of your supplies.
Caution!
Better safe than sorry! Protect your drawings (or yourself) from potential mishaps by learning how to prevent problems before they begin.
Visual Challenge!
Enhance your ability to see as an artist by finding and/or examining specific art-related components in drawings or in your environment.
Challenge!
Gather your drawing supplies and try a new technique, spend additional time practicing a skill, and/or create a sketch or drawing.
Assigned Degree of Difficulty
Drawspace lessons are designed for students of all ages and abilities, including many for whom English is not their first language. The overall text content of lessons is simple and direct, but not dumbed-down.
Each author of a lesson selects the most appropriate level from the following six options:
- Beginner (B): knows very little about drawing.
- Beginner to Intermediate (BI): has basic drawing skills.
- Beginner to Advanced (BA): includes all skill levels.
- Intermediate (I): has a solid foundation of beginner skills and techniques.
- Intermediate to Advanced (IA): has a solid foundation of intermediate techniques.
- Advanced (A): aspires to learn advanced techniques within specific areas of expertise.
Copyright Basics for Artists
Copyright is a form of protection that grants artists of all disciplines the exclusive right to sell, reproduce, or exhibit their own original creations.
You are Protected
Artists who live in a country that has signed the Berne Union for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Property (also known as the Berne Convention) automatically own the copyrights to their completed original creations. An artwork can only be considered original if you were the first to bring the work from its intellectual conception to its creative conclusion.
Artworks that you create from step-by-step lessons are completely yours to display, share, reproduce, and add to a website, but are not considered original.
Drawspace is Protected
All Drawspace published lessons, books, and illustrations are also copyright protected by the Berne Union for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Property (also known as the Berne Convention), Library and Archives Canada, and The Canadian ISBN Service System (CISS).
Drawspace content may not be shared, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transferred, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the author and Drawspace Publishing.
Info for Art Educators
Drawspace lessons and books are used by home-schooling families, private art teachers, and art educators in diverse learning environments such as schools, colleges, universities, recreational organizations, and senior centers. All resources and activities can be worked.
Lessons in this topic are authored by
Brenda Hoddinott
Award-winning artist, illustrator, art educator, curriculum designer, forensic artist (retired), owner of Drawspace.com and Drawspace Publishing, and author of numerous art instruction books.