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Lesson Plan Topic 2.2

By Brenda Hoddinott

Topic 2.2 Beginner to intermediate

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Figure 37

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.

Figure 38

As an Aside

Inspirational and/or informative art-related information, such as contemporary and historical artists and their experiences and philosophies.

Figure 39

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.

Figure 40

Caution!

Better safe than sorry! Protect your drawings (or yourself) from potential mishaps by learning how to prevent problems before they begin.

Figure 41

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.

Figure 42

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

Figure 43

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.