introduction
Drawing Assignment #2 will consist of two different views of compressed foam. Each view will be composed inside an 8” square. The two squares will be placed side-by-side, with a two-inch space between them. The left square will contain a full view of the subject. The right square will contain a zoomed-in and cropped view.
MATERIALS NEEDED
- 18” x 24” White Drawing Paper
- Drawing Board
- Graphite Drawing Pencils (HB, 2B, 4B, and 6B)
- Kneaded Eraser
- Ruler
- Pencil Sharpener
- Compressed foam that is tied with a string or one of the photos of compressed foam provided by the instructor. You can also take a photo of your compressed foam and work from that instead of the actual object.
- The following pdf has images of tied compressed foam: CompressedFoamPhotos.pdf
- The following pdf has images of tied compressed foam: CompressedFoamPhotos.pdf
Left Artwork by Aicha Fofana, Spring 2020
Right Artwork by Isabel Rodriguez, Spring 2020
Instructions
- On an 18” x 24” sheet of white paper, using a ruler and #2 pencil, layout out two 8” square format spaces as shown in the student response example shown above. If you can’t see the images, please click on the following links:
- Look closely at the student response examples. The actual drawings are not to be copied but used only to help you clearly understand the assignment instructions. You may copy the pencil format layout of the squares.
- You will be drawing a rectangular block of foam sponge that has been compressed and tied with string. You can buy a foam sponge and tie it yourself or use the photographic examples provided in the following pdf to draw from. It’s the same pdf as above in the Materials Needed section: CompressedFoamPhotos.pdf
- Compose a full view in the left square, with a horizon line showing the sponge as if it were sitting on a table. The negative space behind the compressed foam should be shaded with a dark value and gradated from dark to light above the horizon line.
- With a #2 pencil, lightly draw the exterior and interior contour shapes of the image. If kept light enough, the lines should not be visible once you have completed shading all the light to dark values.
- The bottom negative space (table surface) on which the compressed foam sits should be shown with a shadow cast underneath it.
- Use either a spotlight or daylight to create distinct shadows and highlights on the object. You may take photographs to work from or draw from the ones provided in the Compressed Foam Photos pdf.
- In the right square, zoom in for a close-up or cropped view of the compressed foam. The image should fill the whole of the square format. If any negative space is showing, it should be minimal and filled in with a dark value.
- Assess where the darkest values of the shadows are. The darker shadows gradually transition into the lighter values of the highlights.
- If you need to erase at any time, be sure to use light pressure and remove pencil shading gradually. A kneaded eraser can also be used to brighten highlights and clean up smudges on and around the drawings. If you tend to rest or brace your hand on the paper surface, use a cover sheet or small piece of clean paper underneath your palm. This will keep you from smudging the drawing.
- In the completed drawing, the shading should be smooth and even without visible lines or pencil strokes. The shifting light to dark values should be accomplished through delicate shading and blending. Use the side of the pencil point as opposed to the tip and work in short small strokes. Do not use your fingers for blending as the natural oils and moisture on your skin will tend to make shading look dull and uneven.
TIPS ON PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR WORK
- Subdued daylight (overcast morning light/noontime shade) works best.
- When shooting indoors, point spotlights at the drawing from both sides (daylight balanced LED bulbs are best.) Position lights so they are pointed down towards the drawing, so glare is reduced.
- Place the artwork against a neutral gray, white, or black background.
- Be sure to point the camera lens straight at the center of the artwork to avoid keystoning. Keystoning is when either the top or bottom half of the picture is wider than it should be. See the following link for more information. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keystone_effect (Links to an external site.)
- Place an 18-inch ruler on the top left of the artwork to contextualize size/scale. Be sure the ruler is readable and make sure it doesn’t cover the artwork.
Submission Instructions
- Take a photo of the artwork with an 18-inch ruler
- The ruler should be next to the outside edge of any side of your drawing with the numbers visible. Do not place the ruler on top of the artwork.
- Upload and Submit the photo to the assignment
- Click on Attach
- Click on Choose File
- Locate and Open your photo
Here is a pdf of the above instructions with former student responses to the assignment: Assignment02.pdf
Rubric
Assignment 02 Final (1)
Assignment 02 Final (1)
CriteriaRatingsPts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFormatThe drawing is on 18” x 24” white paper with two centered 8” squares.
2.5 pts
Full Marks
The drawing is on 18” x 24” white paper with two centered 8” squares.
0 pts
No Marks
The drawing is not on 18” x 24” white paper with two centered 8” squares.
2.5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning Outcome2-inch SpaceThere is a 2” space between the 8” squares.
2.5 pts
Full Marks
There is a 2” space between the 8” squares.
0 pts
No Marks
There is not a 2” space between the 8” squares.
2.5 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeFull ViewThe left square contains a full view of the compressed foam.
3 pts
Full Marks
The left square contains a full view of the compressed foam.
0 pts
No Marks
The left square does not contain a full view of the compressed foam.
3 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeClose-UpThe right square contains a cropped, zoomed-in, and close-up view of the compressed foam surface.
3 pts
Full Marks
The right square contains a cropped, zoomed-in, and close-up view of the compressed foam surface.
0 pts
No Marks
The right square does not contain a cropped, zoomed-in, and close-up view of the compressed foam surface.
3 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeShading/BlendingThe shading and blending are smooth and consistent.
3 pts
Full Marks
The shading and blending are smooth and consistent.
1.5 pts
Half Marks
Some of the shading and blending are smooth and consistent.
0 pts
No Marks
The shading and blending are not smooth and consistent.
3 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeValueThe shading is done with a range of light, medium, and dark values.
3 pts
Full Marks
The shading is done with a range of light, medium, and dark values.
1.5 pts
Half Marks
Some of the shading is done with a range of light, medium, and dark values.
0 pts
No Marks
The shading is not done with a range of light, medium, and dark values.
3 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePhotograph of ArtworkThe artwork is photographed correctly:
—Not keystoned.
—All the 18-inch metal, plastic, or wood ruler (not a tape measure) numbers are legible (not obscured by shadows,) and the ruler is lying on the outside edge of the artwork/paper (not on top of it.)
—The lighting on the artwork is even.
—The background behind the artwork is neutral (grey/white/black.)
