Drawing in Motion: Implying Energy in our Environments
Lesson Length:
7-10 Day
Materials:
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Copic Sketchbook Paper or X-Press It Blending Card
Copic 6-Piece Sketching Grays (Sketch Set)
Copic Multiliner SP - Black 0.5 mm Ink (Included in Sketching Grays Set)
National Visual Arts Standards Applicable:
2E (9-12) – Create multiple solutions to specific visual arts problems that demonstrate competence in
producing effective relationships between structural choices and artistic functions.
6C (9-12) – Synthesize the creative and analytical principles and techniques of the visual arts and
selected other arts disciplines, the humanities, or the sciences.
Objectives/Essential Learning/Teacher Point:
A. Students will learn about sketching a landscape scene by layering with Copic Markers.
B. Students will utilize perspective, directional line, textural mark making, layering/blending, and value
scale to create a landscape with people and/or objects “in motion.” Implied movement will be
achieved through use of energetic lines, sharp contrasts, and varying textures.
C. Students will create the landscape using the Copic 6-Piece Sketching Grays sketch set and must
include some kind of moving object in their drawing. Students will face the challenge of creating trees,
water, sky, people, etc. – without the use of color, thus forcing them to become more familiar with the
value, shape, form, contrast, and texture.
Procedure:
Day 1:
Provided with professional architectural/landscape gray-scale sketches, students will see how
professional artists use markers and other media to practice gray-scale sketches before working with and
making decisions about color. Students will learn about how architects/designers often imply movement in
their drawings with simplistic sketches of people, cars, etc. in order to mimic real life.
Introduction of elements and principles of art and sketching concepts.
• Discovery of line, shape, form, texture, variety, and contrast
• Gestural/implied movement sketching demonstration
• Identification of perspective, foreground, and background
Creation of 3-5 thumbnail sketches based on chosen subject: starting to explore gestural sketching and
landscape ideas.
Day 2/3:
Successful completed example of the project is shown and final design process begins:
• Students are given Copic Multiliner SP 0.5 – the pen is permanent, but gestural sketching is
done with imperfections/mistakes expected (to be covered later with marker layering)
• Gestural line drawing – energy/movement in landscape layout
• Gestural drawing is assessed based on use of implied movement, spacing, overlap, and varied
directional sketching
Day 4-7:
Given review of demonstration of Copic 6-Piece Sketching Grays sketch set techniques, students will
use their sketch sets to complete images. Each of the 5 neutral grays in the Copic 6-Piece Sketching
Grays sketch set must be used in the drawing.
• Use of layering and varied weight in brush strokes will imply texture and movement in the artwork
• Create depth and natural values using highlights and shadows
• Use white of paper for brightest highlights and darkest gray for deepest shadows
Formative Assessment
- Introduction of Copic Gray-scale sketching
- Evaluation of thumbnail sketches
- Evaluation of preliminary gestural Multiliner sketch
- Continuous student critiques of in-process marker techniques/studio work
Summative Assessment:
Final Project Evaluated based on completion of studio objectives:
1. Use of gestural/energetic lines, brush strokes and composition
2. Use of all 5 grays and Multiliner from Copic 6-Piece Sketching Grays sketch set
3. Extensive layering and strong contrast between darks and lights
4. Evidence of at least one object in motion (organic or man-made)
5. Finished drawing – white space only present in “highlight” areas
Vocabulary:
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Names of any artists used for Gray
Sketching Intro
Gestural Line
Line
Shape
Texture
Variety
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Contrast
Value
Implied Movement
Implied Texture
Perspective
Directional Line
Project Directions
1.
Gestural landscape sketch is drawn with Copic Multiliner SP 0.5 pen (included in Copic 6-Piece
Sketching Grays sketch set). The Copic Multiliner SP 0.5 pen can create different weights of
line depending on the angle and pressure of the pen.
Create energy by moving pen quickly across paper and utilizing various line weights. This
“gestural” sketching is the first step to implying movement in your artwork.
2.
Layer on the lightest neutral gray tones N0 and N2. Many of the lightest tones will be covered
later. Covering the image with light tones allows the artist to leave white spaces behind, implying
highlights that will eventually stand out against dark layers, which creates strong contrast.
When using lightest gray tones. N0 and N2, alternate between the brush and the chisel tips, and
alternate line direction – these techniques create variety, which implied movement in the drawing.
3.
To begin creating definition in some of the forms, later on the next two darker shades of gray, N4
and N6. The mid-value gray N4 will be used to transition from light to dark tones in the drawing.
The more line/texture we see in the drawing, the more that movement/energy is implied. Layer N0
and N2 over some of the darker N4 and N6 areas will lighten areas where needed and help blend
mid-tones into the value scale.
4.
N8 is the final gray to be added and will serve as the darkest shade. The N8 gray should be
added in areas of deepest shadow, and on any flat dark forms that will separate foreground from
background and differentiate forms.
Repeat layering of dark and mid-tone grays N4 and N6 where needed – this will again help
transition mid-tones into the value scale and fill in many of the white gaps that may make the
drawing look unfinished.
Finished Project
5. As the drawing nears its final stages, it is important to continue to layer each of the five grays in
the sketching set. The more layering and brush strokes on the image, the stronger the contrast –
this makes for a bolder, more complete and eye-catching image.
Finish the drawing by filling in gaps and blending with N4, mid-tone gray. Try using short, quick
brush strokes in areas that could use more “movement.” The Copic Multiliner SP 0.5 pen can
also be used in the final steps to sharpen edges and define forms.