Week #5: Colored Pencil Project

At the end of the week last week the class discussed Long Range Planning, as well as Pacing Guides and ADEPT Assessment.  They also practiced colored pencil shading and drawing techniques.  Regrettably I was absent, and missed this instruction.  However, I want to complete a blog entry for this topic anyway.

If I were going to teach a comprehensive colored pencil project I would begin by having students experiment with shading and value.  I would have them practice on worksheets similar to those used in graphite or charcoal drawing – producing graduated and gradated value scales.  I would make sure to explain the similar technique for shading with graphite and coloring with pencils.

My own example of value scales completed

using graphite.

An example of value scales using colored pencil.

(Retrieved from:  http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=316172)

Next I would have students practice mixing and blending colors.  I would execute this exercise with an approach similar to the one we explored in class last week.  Students would be asked to produce a gradated color spectrum of colors, first from a wide variety of pencils and colors, and then with a limited number of pencils (based on either the primary color wheel or on subtractive color).  Afterward, I would have students produce small color thumbnails in which they layer colors in different orders and compare the results.

An example of a color scale and thumbnails from class.
(Retrieved from:  http://libbyteachingart.blogspot.com/2016/02/color-pencil-shading-so-get-out-your.html)

An example of my own color mixing practice
with a limited number of pencils.

An example of a different method for creating

color-combination thumbnails.

(Retrieved from:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxZ0vZDEuQg)

After going through these exercises I would introduce the actual project or assignment.  In this case, I would have students produce colored drawings of a small still-life set up on their tables.  We would begin by sketching out thumbnails on newsprint, and then move on to larger drawing paper.  The students would sketch out their compositions lightly in graphite with a focus on attentive observation.  Then they would be asked to shade in the subjects of the still life with the colored pencils.  If any students were showing interest or concern, they would be given the option of completing a monochromatic image or a polychromatic image (assuming the class has covered color theory previously).  As a result of the lesson each student would produce a unique piece, even if they were looking at the same still-life.

Below are some examples of artworks similar

to the project described above found from

various sources across the internet.