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Lesson Plans


drawing what you see

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
Ron Pachter (rpachter)
Fri, 23 Jan 1998 17:29:22 -0500 (EST)

I teach high school in Florida and am DBAE trained. After many years of
struggling with what was the "correct" curriculum for drawing, I have
developed a plan using some stuff from "Drawing From the Right Side of the
Brain", plus various techniques to learn shading, composition, detail, etc.
I have a huge room, but it is laid out in a manner that just doesn't lend
itself to still life drawing, so we simply don't do that. My last intern
told me (just before she up and quit her internship mid-term with no notice)
that my methods were totally wrong and that I needed to do it the way
college professors do it (whatever that means--around here it means charcoal
and more charcoal).

What I have found is that hs students need to see results quickly to "hook"
them and my method works. I preach drawing what your eye sees, not what
your mind knows. For me, it has worked well. I've been belittled because
we don't do lots of drawing from life everyday--my kids are happy, show
well, and learn lots. Sometimes they need a crutch, like a grid, in order
to breakdown the whole procedure--like math and times tables. When they see
it simply, they can achieve.

I also make sure everyone learns something about matting--a skill that every
art major has come back to me and thanked me for. To me, the best I can
give is basics, good knowledge about the best materials we can afford, and
room to explore and grow. I also have learned that it doesn't matter what
everyone else approves of your doing. My administration, kids, and parents
are happy, ergo life is good. I hope this little "vent" helps newbies and
oldies alike.

Marlyn Foell Art teacher Rockledge High School On the Space Coast, where
I sit in my shorts and tank top enjoying a lovely January breeze.(off to the
studio)