Steampunk Animal
Steampunk Stegosaurus by Caroline Nay
Machines and Art
In general, students do very well with this project. The key techniques here are contrast and gradations. There are so many details, that in order for them to stand out it needs good contrast and shading. But NO OVER SMUDGING with graphite. I know many like it, but I am not a fan. Mostly because, we work so hard on making it look three-dimensional and smudging has a strong tendency to flatten the image. If it all possible, only about 5-10% should be smudged in small areas. I like to use a small, dry paint brush. It will blend without over blending. For bigger areas, sometimes I use a pink eraser and gently skim the surface in circular motion. The eraser can blend without over blending.
Simple Form Shading
There are many examples online on drawing simple forms in graphite such as cubes and spheres. This video shows how to start shading some forms and what to avoid. This is good practice for students before they draw the origami crane.
How to make an origami crane
Students are asked to make their own origami crane to draw from for the warm-up assignment. I love teaching origami because it's a great lesson on the importance of paying attention to every step. If you miss one step, it won't work. The day before the origami demonstration, I ask for four to five volunteers to be co-teachers. I teach them the origami for the next day. On origami day, I demonstrate twice. Once at a big table that everyone stands around and they just have to watch. The second time, I demonstrate slowly in front of the class with the co-teachers standing along the sides of the room. The one rule I have is that if students have a question, they can't scream, "Wait, what!?!". They need to raise their hand quietly and one of the co-teachers will go over and help. I would not teach origami without co-teachers, because otherwise I would be running around, helping individually, and that takes too long.
Origami Crane Drawing
These drawings come out pretty well. The google slides below has the requirements for this assignment and it has an extra video on different origami for those that want to draw something other than a crane. In this assignment I encourage students not to smudge.
Other warm-ups for developing value: Simple forms with wooden mannequins and silverware.
I painted a bunch of still life forms, wooden toy cars, and animal mannequins for still life drawings. This is my example.
I recommend dark gray paper for the background because it is easier to match with the graphite pencil.
Silverware
Silverware is a common still life for drawing. I recommend asking students to arrange the silverware or modify them to tell a story.