ART II: Trompe-L’oeil Drawing
NAME:_________________
LESSON FOCUS:
This lesson focuses on creating a small, personal, miniature still life in pencil that shows
high contrast and a wide range in value.
VOCABULARY:
Contrast: Technique for creating a focal point by using differences in elements.
Contour drawing: Drawing the edges, or contours of figures or objects.
Highlights: Areas on a surface that reflect the most light. In a drawing, these areas are
shown by light values to create the illusion of depth.
Low relief: Sculpture in which areas project slightly from a flat surface. Also called basrelief.
Pencil: Drawing and writing tool that consists of a slender, cylindrical casing around a
marking substance.
Setup: Group of objects arranged as a subject for drawing.
Shading: The use of light and shadow to give a feeling of depth.
Still life: A group of nonmoving objects that are subject matter for a work of art.
Trope l’oeil: French for “deceive the eye”. Style of painting in which painters try to give
the viewer the illusion of seeing a three-dimensional object, so that the viewer wonders
whether he or she is seeing a picture or something real.
Value: Element of art that refers to light and dark areas. Value depends on how much
light a surface reflects.
PROCEDURE:
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Select 3 – 5 objects to be mounted onto a piece of white board for observation.
The objects do not have to have a common theme, although doing so, will add to
the interest of the composition.
Select objects that are no thicker than ¾” to create a low relief.
o Suggestions: an unusual stamp, concert tickets, a letter, keys, jewelry, etc.
o Your composition should measure approximately 7”x 9”.
o Once you have the objects placed well, pin, glue or tape them into place so
that the arrangement will stay in place.
o You may use a light source to cast shadows and enhance different textures
and dimensions.
Discuss the French term “trompe-l’oeil, which means “deceive the eye” and look
at examples.
Start your pencil drawing with a very light contour line drawing to establish the
composition.
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Once you have your drawing on the good paper, begin to develop the drawing
gradually working from light to dark.
o Use an assortment of drawing pencils to achieve a full range of values.
o Use a kneaded eraser to clean up edges and lighten highlights.
MATERIALS:
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3 – 5 objects (related or unrelated)
16”x 20” white board (to arrange objects)
pins, glue or tape to secure objects
11”x 14” Bristol board
drawing pencils
eraser
Student Examples: