KinderArt with Andrea and Jantje. We make teaching art easier.
  HOMEPAGENewsletterBlog/UpdatesSitemap  

www.KINDERART.com
Printer-Friendly Page
Pen and Ink: Drawing Lessons for Kids: KinderArt ® Elementary School Art Education
HomeDrawing Lessons for Kids ► Lesson Plan/Activity


Image:

PEN AND INK DRAWING 
Written by: Christina Eosco [Christine is an Arts & Crafts co-specialist at Sharon Country Day Camp (Sharon, Massachusetts, USA) and an Early Childhood Education graduate student at Boston University.]

Grade: 2+

Age: 7+

Activity Summary:

Students will hone visual recognition skills by paying close attention to details of shape, line, and texture as they create a complete ink drawing of one or more natural objects.

Objectives

Identification:
  • Students will be directed to recognize the shapes and lines inherent in the objects and world around them.
Creation:
  • Students will hone visual recognition skills by paying close attention to details of shape, line, and texture and will create a complete ink drawing of one or more natural objects.
Appreciation:
  • Students will learn to appreciate the details in the world around them, as well as their own visual and artistic skills in capturing those details on paper.

What You Need:

Choose one or more:
  • Waterproof ink & reed pens/nib/fountain pens, etc.
  • Calligraphy Pens
  • Different width black pens and markers (i.e. Sharpies)
and
  • Any kind of paper for practicing
  • Thicker paper for final work
  • A drawing board and clips or something to lean on

What You Do:

  1. Introduce the medium of pen & ink. I.e. “Today we’re going to draw using only one color-black.” Also introduce the materials you will be using.

  2. Introduce the biggest challenge of this medium-shading using only black.

    • What is shading?-Creating the differences between light and dark areas
    • Why is shading especially challenging when we only have black?-We cannot use shades of gray or other colors to show the differences.
    • What techniques can we use instead?-heavier or lighter marks (partially determined by the width of the pen, distances between the marks (closer together or farther apart)

  3. Introduce the techniques of hatching, cross hatching, and stippling.

    • HATCHING-Hatching involves drawing lines in the same direction, evenly spaced, and of equal weight/width.
    • CROSS-HATCHING-This is just like hatching except you also add lines going in an opposite direction. This creates a darker, “shadier” effect.
    • STIPPLING-Stippling involves dots instead of lines. First “outline” your subject with dots. Then add more dots to the areas that should be darker.

  4. Practice the different techniques and shapes of marks on scrap paper. What shapes would you use for:

    • A tree trunk?
    • Willow tree leaves?
    • Dandelions?
    • Grass?
    • Water?
    • Sand?

  5. Time to draw en plein air. Wander around for a minute or two until you see a subject you’d like to draw. Pick a spot to sit down with your drawing board, thick paper, and different pens.

  6. Take a good look at your subject. Which areas are in the shade? Which are in the sunlight? Decide which part of your drawing is going to be the darkest, which areas are the lightest, and which sections will be somewhere in between.

  7. You can sketch your drawing lightly with a pencil first, but try to avoid outlining everything. Instead use dots or dotted lines. Go to it! Don’t worry about making mistakes-there is no “wrong way” to do this. Experiment with different marks and shapes, and try to use some of the different techniques. Remember to use the white spaces to your advantage-keep the paper white in areas where the sun hits your subject. But above all, find your own style!

Vocabulary:

Medium this is the means you are using to create your art. Examples are drawing, painting, pen & ink, sculpture, etc.

Mixed-Media is the term we use to describe an artwork using more than one medium. For example, a mixed-media collage might use magazine cutouts, paints, and found objects like feathers or playing cards.

Shading The darknesses caused by rays of light. When you shade, you are trying to create the differences between dark and light areas.

Hatching A shading technique that involves drawing lines in the same direction, evenly spaced, and of equal weight/width.

Cross-Hatching A shading technique that is just like hatching except you also add lines going in an opposite direction. This creates a darker, “shadier” effect.

Stippling A shading technique that involves dots instead of lines. First “outline” your subject with dots. Then add more dots to the areas that should be darker.

En plein air This is a French term that means you are creating your art outside.

Recommended Books:

Drawing With Children
by Mona Brookes
Founded on the belief that any child can learn to draw realistic pictures using her "alphabet of shapes" while in a noncompetitive environment, Mona Brookes' easy-to-follow, lesson-by-lesson approach to drawing has yielded astounding results with children of all ages. This is THE BEST learning to draw book we've ever seen. (for ages 3-4 and up)

email this lesson to a friend   send us your comments   share your ideas   print this page



More Activities Like This

© KinderArt ®

Do YOU have an idea to share?





NAVIGATE


Architecture
Art Book (Assessment)
Art History
Bulletin Boards
Crafts
Cross Curriculum
Drama
Drawing
Folk Art
Multicultural Art
Painting
Photography
Printmaking
Recipes
Recycling
Sculpture
Seasons
Special Needs
Summer Camp
Textiles

PRINTABLES

ARTICLES

SHOP

CONTESTS

OUR BLOG




KinderArt® Kits & More

 
CREATIVITY STARTS HERE - BROWSE OUR GIANT COLLECTION OF PROVEN IDEAS
Art Book
Kindergarten art assessment tool.
Art Kitchen
Make art materials and treats to eat.
Art History/Appreciation
Art of the past and present.
Architecture
Buildings and structures.
Bulletin Boards
Classroom decoration.
Coloring Pages & Worksheets
Printables for kids of all ages.
Crafts
Hundreds of craft projects.
Cross Curricular Art
From math and science, to language arts and geography.
Drama
Acting and making costumes.
Drawing
Charcoal, Crayons, Pastels, Pencils.
Early Childhood Education
Themed daycare activities for preschoolers.
Folk Art
Traditional and funky.
Multicultural Art
Australia, Asia, Africa, North America, Mexico & more.
Painting
Acrylic, oil, tempera and watercolour.
Printmaking
Stamping, stencils and prints.
Sculpture
Clay, dough, glue, paper and wood.
Recycling Projects
Environmentally friendly art.
Seasonal Crafts
Special days throughout the year.
Special Artists
Designed for children & adults with special needs.
Summer Camp
Camp and camping crafts.
Textiles
Tie dye, collage, fabric painting and weaving.
Level/Age/Grade Calculator
ECE = PreK [3-5yrs] | Primary = K-2 [5-8yrs] | Junior = Gr 3-5 [8-11yrs] | Intermediate/Middle = Gr 5-8 [11-14yrs] | High School = Gr 9-12 [14+ yrs]
AwardsAbout KinderArt®Contact KinderArt®Advertise with UsPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
A note about advertisingEmployment opportunities

KinderArt® ©1997-2011, All Rights Reserved