Sketchbook
ideas
Submitted
by: Amanda Linn, Harmony Grove High School
ADVANCED
PLACEMENT SKETCHBOOK IDEAS
From Amanda
Linn: I thought these might be useful to others. I am
sometimes stumped for meaningful sketchbook ideas. Many
of these are ideas I have “sponged” and modified
from other people. Others were designed to prepare my
students for specific art experiences we will have in
the future or to support themes and ideas we are
exploring.
·
Select
an above or below point of view in a specific area (your
room, kitchen, bathroom, outside, in a car, etc.
Complete this drawing paying attention to details. You
may complete the drawing in pencil, colored pencil, pen,
etc.
·
Choose a portion of a magazine or newspaper
picture. Glue that picture on a page in your sketchbook.
Create a drawing that incorporates that picture into a
story. You may use more than one magazine or newspaper
image BUT the artwork should be made mainly from your
added drawings. This artwork should span 2 pages. You
may use color or shading. OR you could use a color
scheme (monochromatic, etc.)
·
Choose an enclosed space- a kitchen cabinet, a
television, an oven, a refrigerator, in a drawer or
closet. What human qualities do the objects in the
enclosed space assume when no one is watching? Do the
mustard bottles dance? Do the socks play cards? This can
be one page with details…be sure and show the interior
of the space as well as the objects.
·
Over 2 pages show the gradual transformation of a
pair of scissors into another object- example: scissors
into a shark- DON”T USE THIS EXAMPLE- it was my idea.
Details are needed in the drawing- color is optional.
·
If you got a holiday card from one of these
artists what would it look like?
Pablo Picasso
Berthe Morisot
Salvador Dali
Georgia O’Keefe
Vincent Van Gogh
Frida Kahlo
·
Arrange three related objects (3 kitchen items, 3
shoes, sports equipment, etc.) into a composition. Draw
on one page using a light source and shading
·
Create an image using only found images (from
magazines, newspapers, worksheets, etc.) The image
should communicate a message or tell a story
·
Practice drawing anything from observation- the
most common things are good practice
·
Look at yourself in a spoon- draw the distorted
image
·
What happens when a 6-foot tall squirrel shows up
in your yard?
·
Identify an object that relates to your identity.
Create an artwork that uses the image of that object (or
the actual object) as the SINGLE FOCUS of the artwork.
Open media.
·
Fill in the blank… “I am a _________ in this
world.” Use the text of the completed sentence to
inform the artwork. Open Media. This should be a 2 page
spread
·
Answer these questions with an image:
At
age six I was ________
At
age twelve I was _______
Now
I am ________
At
age 25 I will be ______
At
age 75 I will be ______
Arrange
these images in a composition that communicates your
identity. Open media. Should span at least 4 pages in
some order that communicates the answers to the
questions.
·
Illustrate a dream you have had using only 5
symbols (single images that communicate ideas) This may
take one or two pages. You may use color or black and
white to complete the image.
Consider what you know about composition,
emphasis, etc. as you build the images.
·
Make a detailed
drawing of your hand holding something related to the
fall season OR related to school. Make the drawing large
enough that it touches all the edges of the page. You
may add color or use shading
·
Your choice- create a one or two page drawing
that demonstrates several of your strongest art skills.
This is your chance to create your own assignment as
many of you have requested,
·
What does the holiday season really mean to you?
Your image can be abstract or realistic; you may choose
the media. AVOID common images- meaning if you choose to
show holiday gifts- SHOW THEM IN A CREATIVE WAY! I
·
Create a design using elements from magazine or
newspaper images. Cut and paste the images onto the page
in your sketchbook to create the design.
·
Practice observational drawing skills by drawing
from the following list:
Shoes
Corner
of a room in your house
Create
an arrangement of objects, use a lamp or other light to
make dramatic shadows,
Your
pet
Creative
views of your car, bicycle, skateboard, etc.
Make
the image reach all the way to the edges of the page.
Demonstrate what you know about point of view, emphasis,
composition, positive and negative space, etc.
·
Practice drawing from your imagination by drawing
from the following list:
What
would you see if you grew wings and flew over our town?
What
if your big toe became its own person?
What
if you suddenly became very very small?
Advanced
Placement Sketchbook Ideas
Submitted
by Robert Teslow:
Appropriate an
image from magazine/newspaper/web-image that
illustrates/demonstrates an unusual point of view of
common objects, space/place, architecture, or group of
things/people, other.
Draw a same size
line drawing from your image.
Draw an enlarged
scale version based on your same size line drawing
(don’t be concerned about some changes in image…
current drawing compared to a previous one).
Use oil pastels
to enhance enlarged line drawing. Select among the
following color relationships to be a guide to using
color for expression and emphasis.
Warm hues with
cool accents
Cool hues with
warm accents
Monochromatic
Complimentary
Analogous
Submitted
by Heidi Praff:
Homework
assignment: Shadows as Connectors
This
assignment will also be done in your sketchbook.
You
may draw from a HIGH CONTRAST photos, or from direct
observation, harshly lit.
DO
NOT use any magazine photos of models, which are meant
mainly to showcase makeup.
Draw
the face, at least twice, summarizing it into shapes of
shadows and light.
Observe
and record how the shadows connect features.
Media:
Your choice of graphite, oil pastel, charcoal, or any
media you feel will give you the high contrast you are
seeking.
At
least 2 faces. If it is your own, you can just change
pose or lighting.
date
all entries.
Homework
Assignment - #3 The Eye:
This
assignment is to be done in your sketchbook.
It
involves drawing your eye twice in two very different
ways. Both are from direct observation, though.
TWO
DRAWINGS, DIFFERENT
APPROACHES, DIFFERENT PAGES
Please
read the directions carefully. As always, date your
entries.
- Make
a DETAILED drawing
of your eye and the area around it. Include
everything you see when observing closely in clear,
even lighting.
- For
the second drawing, make a drawing in HARSH
lighting, showing the shapes of the shadows only.
SUMMARIZE, don’t itemize. This drawing will not
contain detail, but will accurately represent the
shapes of light and shadow on and around your eye
area.
Submitted
by Ken Schwab:
Sketchbook for
A.P. Art #1
You
will be keeping a sketchbook for the entire year.
This sketchbook will be a series of drawings and
mixed media pieces that you will use for your portfolio.
Each one should be considered a complete art
piece. This
means that composition and principles of good design can
and should be utilized.
These
are the sketchbook requirements for your first grading
period.
They can be in any media unless specifically designated.
These 4 drawings will be due in 6 weeks and will
be given 80 points, (20 for each one)
1.
Draw a portrait using light and shadow.
In order to achieve strong gradations and a sense
of form, place a light from different angles than
normal. These
can be under the chin, behind the head or from the top. This can be in graphite pencil or colored pencil.
2.
Study your feet and shoes.
Create a strong thick and thin contour drawing of
your shoes drawing from different angles.
Include more than one drawing on the same page
over lapping and filling the format.
Pen or pencil
3.
Draw a place around the outside of your home.
This can be a plant, part of the building or
objects on the porch.
Use ink and watercolor to create a strong
contrast between the color and the ink.
Crosshatching as a style is suggested but not
required.
4.
Draw bottles and cans.
Have them crunched up for details in the
reflections and folds of the metal.
Include lots of detail and only show a small area
instead of the whole can or cans.
If it is a bottle, find an area that shows off
the reflections and surface quality of the bottle.
5.
Create a series of positive and negative space designs.
On your desk at home stack a few objects into a
pile. With
a light shinning from the back look at the space that is
white (light) and draw the shapes as a contour line
shape. Use
black paint or ink to fill in the spaces as a flat
shape. The
silhouette of the object should still be seen but new
shapes created.
6. Draw a piece of furniture in your house. This can be in color or black and white.
Sit in an area and observe the lines and shapes
of the piece. Create
a format around your observed area and look for
textures, gradations, wood grain or interesting shapes
and make a detailed study.
Submitted
by Ken Schwab
Sketchbook for A.P. Art #2
This
is the second round of sketchbook assignments.
Choose 4 of these to use and have them
completed before the next grading period.
Remember to use good drawing skills and
composition.
1.
Pop some popcorn. Take
a few kernels and look at the shapes and shades created.
With pencil and smudge shading, study a few of
the kernels and fill the page with them.
This drawing should show a good sense of drawing
skill and soft grays with a tortillon or some blending
device.
2.
Draw or design a vehicle.
This can be a car, spaceship, airplane, boat,
motorcycle, bicycle or anything you want.
Include details and make it big!
Any media
3.
Draw yourself using a strong light source on one side of
your face. Use
a mirror and try to have some expression.
Focus on the strong shadows created by the light.
Use pastel for blocking in large areas with a lesser
amount of detail.
4.
Using color (craypas) create an Impressionist Landscape
drawing. Use
Van Gogh, Manet, Seurat, Pissaro, Sisley, or Cezanne as
your guide. Use
the internet and look up these artists to observe their
work. Find
a landscape on the net as well and draw it as a n
Impressionist.
5.
Draw a series of animals in motion. Such as a cheetah
running, a rabbit hopping, a bird flying.
This can be in any media and you can use just
three views or images in a row.
6.
Divide the page into three areas with a ruler.
Create a very involved contour drawing with pen
of a small object of your choice and put it in one of
the areas going outside the shape. Next, in another area, draw the same object with pencil
using good shading and proper proportion. For the last
area, distort or abstract (like in cubism) the same
object using three values or colors.
Submitted by
Nicole Brisco
Ideas for the first day to engage
creativity in any advanced class. I begin in Art
2.
1. Once I hand out
sketchbooks (or have students bring or make them) I
have the students prepare the pages in a variety of
creative ways, like paint washes on the pages, collaging,
writing, cutting holes in some of the pages, creating
patterns. This is just to alter the pages
before we begin any sketchbook assignments/observational
drawing....I know some people alter books and that is a
great way also but I like the idea of the kids
taking ownership of their sketchbook as a process
oriented tool for thumbnailing, drawing, doodling,
writing, documenting, etc. It is a good
first day activity especially if you give them a list
that is open to interpretation, this challenges them to
use their time wisely, be creative, use good
craftsmanship, and follow directions. It is also a
no pressure assignment that allows the kids to get to
know each other. What I like about this is
that it removes the white pages from the book and allows
students to be more expressive with the drawings on the
pages. It also make the sketchbook less
intimidating and helps students to understand that every
page does not need to be perfect and is more about
learning and exploration. We look the sketchbooks
of Wayne Jiang at http://www.waynejiang.com
/sketchbooks/index.html
2. Another good idea is to print
out a variety of sketchbook assignments on address
labels and give them to the students. I have
printed 30 different assignments on one page
of sticker labels and printed one (each student
receives the same problems) for each student, there is
some initial cost for the labels but you will not have
to give out another assignment sheet for the rest of the
year. I created open ideas that instill good
observational, creative, and compositional skills.
Give each student the same printed page and they can
chose what problem to tackle for their sketchbook for
the week and stick the one they selected to the back of
the page, or you can have them stick them to the
prepared pages and they would be forced to move through
the sketchbook in an unordered way. This gives the
student options and allows them ownership in what they
draw each week depending on their mood...but also keeps
them focused on the skills they need to work on during
the year. I have them staple the label page to the
back of their sketchbook so that they do not lose it.
I saw this idea and loved it and decided to adapt it to
my art 2 and 3 classes and what kid does not like
stickers?....even high school kids have a fascination. See
list of ideas.
Here is a sample
label file created by Gloria Rabinowitz
Suggestions from Ruth Wilson
• Draw a pile of shoes
• looking from an interior space to an exterior space
(ie: a doorway)
• a figure drawn in an unusual perspective
• still life objects
• reflective objects
• self portraits with expression or mood
• pasting a piece of a magazine on paper and then
drawing outward
• morphs
• painting or drawing in an artists style
• distorted reflections
• action
• anatomy
• shaded 3D forms showing strong contrast
• architectural drawing
• art history prints & Design elements
draw on Myler over
an art history print with graphite to show the
shapes, then
another sheet of Myler the directional lines, then the
3-5 local colors,
and shading values
Suggestions from Donna
Rodeghiero
Draw:
A grouping of seashells
A single flower with all its leaves, etc.
A cluttered place close-up
A pile of dishes sitting on the sink
Your favorite food with the wrapper included, and
product showing
A close up set of 3-5 pieces of popped popcorn
A close up of the various pieces from a game, the board,
box, etc.
A set of keys and a couple other items from your pocket
or purse
Your shoes or sandals (off your feet)
Your sunglasses and what they reflect
Your digital camera with the last image showing
Your computer from an angle you do not usually view it,
cords and all
A view out a window of your choice (with motion or
still) showing inside and
out
A shiny Christmas ornament and the view it reflects
A magnifying glass and what it is magnifying as well as
the space around it
that is unmagnified
A grouping of photographs of you, your family or friends
in collage form
Your school books positioned in an interesting manner
A single object of choice drawn from several views with
significantly
different light sources in each view
Something you view from a prone position looking up at
whatever it is
Your pet or favorite object from 3 distinctly different
views
Suggestions from Patty Knott
I like to give words or
phrases for idea spawning. I don't grade
sketchbooks. I believe they are personal places of
exploration for not only practice but journaling and
questioning and sometimes, even doodling, but especially
creative thinking. I just always
hope
they will discover mixed meanings, irony, metaphor, and
symbolism.... just how to get ideas. This summer I am
going through 5 years worth of art , fine crafts and
photo magazines that I subscribe to, and I am
listing word, phrases, titles, media and techniques that
catch my eye. I like to have the kids make
arbitrary picks from the list ( pull from a hat, a
spin wheel, etc.) and take a day a week that they do the
sketchbook exploration without the pressure of projects
and grades.
Here are just a few of words and phrases I am
currently compiling: (I always have them mind map and
web all the possibilities for all the words)
Conflict of interests
More than meets the Eye (I)
Me, myself, and I (eye)
Warped
Nightmares/Other worlds
Habits
Food .. You are what you eat
(still, after 36 years, my most
biggest art challenge was the RISD portfolio requirement
- Draw your
family at breakfast. )
Lonely -- L (one) ly
inspired by the e.e.cummings poem "1(a"
The seasons
The End
Pairs
I get around
Balance
Home is where...
All that glitters...
Pretty -- as a picture
Layer it on
So transparent
A touch of ?
Messing around
Over the edge ( this one led to a student doing
his concentration on
Robert DeNiro film roles)
The senses
Threads
It's my nature
Take cover
It's not easy being green
Color outside the lines
Hot and cold
Lemon Yellow
Black and White & red all over
( so glad a student made red - read)
sunset
Metallics
Autumn
Forest floor.
A sketchbook should be a fun place, not a chore or
another "have- to." If I
judge and grade the sketchbook, then where do they go to
make free ideas? If we all had i-pods and
camera phones, I would include those too.
Suggestions from John Steiner
Where is Waldo? Students take one
sketchbook page and fill it in with miniature drawings
of everything that relates them and their lives… gum,
braces, football jersey, soccer and footballs… etc and
endless… the page must be filled, no blank space and
all items are reduced to the same or nearly same size…
could a 2D as well as drawing assignment.
...teachers complained that my students were drawing in
their class!
They were fabulous!
Transformations
Draw a chess set set-up and partially played - do the
same with other board games- use your favorite game from
childhood.
Take a page from the notebook for another class and draw
over the notes
Draw on white mat board, cover with several layers of
gloss medium, cover this with oil paint- release the
drawn image, the paint and the medium.
Landscapes with and without man-made structures.
Draw buildings and man-made structures with character-
bridges- the interior of old churches or old theaters.
Fill bottles with colored water and use in a still-life.
Fill plastic bags with objects and draw - draw bags of
candy or marshmallows.
Play the Password Game. Divide the class into
groups of five or six. Use one painting each group comes
up with five descriptive words from the same work of
art. The students share their words with the class and
everyone must then take all the words and write a piece
of poetry. The poetry must use all the words, words that
are repeated must be used as often as they are repeated.
Students then illustrate their poetry.
Draw small architectural, mechanical things tiny may be
very small drawings only 3 or 4 inches
Contour drawings of insects like a bug collection... (or
dead flies off the window sill)
The skeleton of a small animal or bird really small or
really big.
Tape a pencil or marker to a yardstick or long dowel;
use this to draw on papers attached to a large wall.
Every night for I week draw the same object in a
different media on neutral ground paper�
Botanical drawings especially pine or spruce twigs
w/pinecones.
Wash drawings from real life
Wash drawings taken from paintings� esp. of
groups of people
Use a slinky or tubes to demonstrate circles and
ellipses in perspective
Five views of the same object or objects.
Rather than just drawing hands, draw the same hand
rotating and changing with each view...
Draw on objects or surfaces not usually used to draw
on... these may be primed with tempera paint.
Stretch an old pair of jeans or flannel shirt. Prime
with tempera if necessary, use this as a drawing surface
for chunk charcoal or graphite sticks.
Stain plaster with tea, coffee or other natural
materials... let "dirty" snow balls melt on
drawing papers... draw or 2D over the dried color
Use a small picture frame, 8 x 10 or 10 x 14, stretch
dampened paper by gluing the edges with Elmer’s; it
will shrink and tighten when dried. Use this as a
drawing or 2D design surface. The surface is “soft”
and will not allow much pressure and for sure no
erasing!
SEE
ADVOCACY FOR SKETCHBOOKS IN ELEMENTARY
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