Describe, Listen, Draw

In this activity, you will:

• examine and describe an ancient object using art vocabulary
• listen to what you hear and translate it into a sketch

• 30 – 60 mins

• Paper
• Pencils
• Colored pencils (optional)

Instructions for Getting Started

In this drawing exercise, you will use art vocabulary to guide a partner to draw an object they cannot see. You should NOT view the featured objects before drawing. The goal of this activity is to practice looking closely at objects, describing them in detail with art vocabulary, and listening carefully.

Assign an Object to Each Partner

Don’t look at the objects before assigning them.

• One partner will describe Object One.
• The other partner will describe Object Two.
• Don’t share your image with your partner or look at theirs.

Get Ready

• Read the list of terms from “Vocabulary for Describing an Artwork”. If there are any confusing terms, discuss them with your partner.
• Ready your materials: paper and pencils, or colored pencils if you have them.
• Sit so you can’t see each other’s images or what other pairs are working on. For example, you could sit back-to-back.

Describe and Sketch

• Take turns being a “describer“ and a ”sketcher.” One person starts as the describer, the other as the sketcher.
• The describer uses as much detail as possible to describe their object. Use terms from “Vocabulary for Describing an Artwork” where helpful. Describe the shape, size, decoration, lines, patterns, and other details. Remember, the sketcher’s drawing will only be as good as your description!
• The sketcher relies completely on the describer’s words to draw the object without seeing it. Draw the details as accurately as possible based only on what you hear.
• Take five minutes for each person to describe and sketch, then switch roles.

Share and Discuss

Once both sketches are done, it’s time for the big reveal! You can now look at the picture of the objects you were describing, and share your drawings. How did each person do?

Discuss your responses to the following questions.

• Did describing the object help you look at it more closely?
• What words or phrases helped you visualize the details best when your partner was describing?
• Was art vocabulary helpful when communicating how to draw the image?
• Before seeing the actual object, what did you think it would look like based on the description and your sketch?
• Now that you’ve seen the object you sketched, what are your thoughts and observations?

Read About the Ancient Objects You Drew

Find out more about each of the featured objects by reading each of the following articles.

• Explore Caeretan Hydria
• Explore Cameo Glass Skyphos

Optional Activity

Watch a video about the hydria to learn more about the story told in its decorations.