ART II: FRUIT or VEGETABLE STUDY
NAME:____________________________
LESSON FOCUS:
This lesson focuses on drawing the cross-section of a piece of fruit or vegetable,
from direct observation, using a colored drawing medium (colored pencil, oil
crayons, chalk pastel, crayon).
VOCABULARY:
Abstraction: a work of art that emphasizes design and a simplified or systematic
investigation of forms. The subject matter may be recognized or may be completely
transformed into shape, color and/or line.
Color: An element of design that is derived from reflected light. The sensation of color
is aroused in the brain by response of the eyes to different wavelengths of light. Color has
three properties: hue, value and intensity.
Colored pencils: Waxy pencils with strong, durable colors.
Composition: The act of organizing the elements of an artwork into a harmoniously
unified whole.
Contour drawing: Drawing in which only contour lines are used to represent the subject
matter.
Contour line: A line that defines the edges and surface ridges of an object.
Crayon: A stick of colored wax used for drawing.
Free-form shapes: Irregular and uneven shapes. Their outlines are curved, or angular, or
both. Free-form shapes are often referred to as organic (found in nature).
Oil crayons: A modern drawing medium made by mixing pigments with an oil binder.
These soft and adhesive materials can be applied directly to a surface and can also be
spread and blended with a brush soaked in a solvent.
Pastels: A colored chalk that consists of pigment mixed with a water-based gum binder
and molded into sticks.
Simulated texture: A kind of visual texture that imitates real texture by using twodimensional pattern to create the illusion of a three-dimensional surface.
Texture: The surface quality of an artwork usually perceived through the sense of touch.
However, texture can also be implied; perceived visually though not felt through touch
(simulated texture).
Value: The element of art that describes the darkness or lightness of an object.
PROCEDURE:
 Look at Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings to see how she abstracted her paintings and
drawings of flowers.
 Choose a fruit to draw and cut it in half to show the inside.
 On 15”x 15” manila paper, sketch the inside of your fruit.
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 Zoom in, so the fruit becomes abstracted.
 Don’t be afraid to take the fruit off the tops and sides of the paper.
 You may have empty space so long as it is balanced.
Once you have a balanced composition, trace onto 15”x 15” white drawing paper.
Finish, in color, using chalk or oil pastels.
 Try to match the color and texture of the inside of the fruit.
 Don’t be afraid to mix colors together to get the different values and
intensities.
 Choose a good color for any background space.
Remember, your drawing will take several layers of pastel.
 If you’re using chalk pastels you may need to use workable fixative in
between layers of color.
Choose a contrasting color or colors for the background.
The entire paper must be covered for your drawing to be considered complete.
MATERIALS:
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One piece of fruit cut in half.
15”x 15” manila sketch paper
15”x 15” white drawing paper
Chalk or oil pastels (assorted colors)
Workable and permanent fixative for chalk pastels.
Works by Georgia O’Keeffe:
Fruit and Vegetable Drawing Examples: