DRAWING ANIMALS IN THE WILD – Illusion of Depth

Students explore the idea of depth of space focussing on overlapping, elevated objects, relative sizes and shading, and then they use markers plus water to create a scene that shows 3 animals in the wild.

Required Time

80 Minutes

Grade Level

Grade 4 to Grade 8

Subject

Language Arts
Mathematics
Science
Visual Arts

Vocabulary

background depth foreground horizon line middle ground picture plane shading space

Materials

Crayola Non-Washable Broad Line Markers - 10 Count Crayola Marker & Watercolour Paper - 22.9 cm x 30.5 cm (9" x 12") Crayola Paintbrushes - 5 Count Crayola Scissors Crayola Washable Glue Sticks Water Containers Plastic Placemats - 1 per student Masking Tape Small Pieces of Foam Core Board Paper Towels

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Steps

DRAWING ANIMALS IN THE WILD – Illusion of Depth - Step One

Step One

  1. Tape the paper to a plastic placemat.
  2. Draw the background scene getting inspiration from research photos.
  3. Draw the horizon line about one-third down from the top of the paper.
  4. Block in key details in pencil.
  5. Draw an outline with marker.
  6. Paint into the marker with water.
DRAWING ANIMALS IN THE WILD – Illusion of Depth - Step Two

Step Two

  1. Draw some marker onto a plastic lid.
  2. Paint into the marker with water to liquify it.
  3. Colour large areas of your scene using this marker ink.
  4. Use both techniques to complete your scene.
DRAWING ANIMALS IN THE WILD – Illusion of Depth - Step Three

Step Three

  1. Paint over dry areas.
  2. Things further back in the picture look muted.
  3. Painting purple over the other colours helps create the feeling of shadows and depth.
  4. Set the background picture aside.
DRAWING ANIMALS IN THE WILD – Illusion of Depth - Step Four

Step Four

  1. Refer to your research photo as you draw your animal.
  2. Remember to look at the animal picture often. 
  3. Make the animal fairly large. 
  4. Use the marker technique to colour the animal drawing.
DRAWING ANIMALS IN THE WILD – Illusion of Depth - Step Five

Step Five

  1. Photocopy the animal drawing in two smaller sizes, for example, one at 75% and another at 50% of original size. 
  2. Cut out the original animal drawing.
  3. Colour the two photocopied drawings and cut them out.
DRAWING ANIMALS IN THE WILD – Illusion of Depth - Step Six

Step Six

  1. Gently remove the tape from the background drawing.
  2. Figure out where you want to place the animals.
    - The smallest one should be highest on the picture plane.
    - The largest one should be lowest on the picture plane.
    - Try overlapping the animals. 
  3. Once you are happy with the arrangement begin to glue the animals down.
  4. Glue the smallest one first.
  5. Position it and lightly press it into place.
  6. Place a spare piece of paper over the animal and rub it gently.
    - The paper keeps the animal shape from tearing or moving while you press it onto the page.
  7. Repeat with the middle sized animal.
DRAWING ANIMALS IN THE WILD – Illusion of Depth - Step Seven

Step Seven

  1. Glue some small pieces of foam core board onto the back of the largest animal.
  2. These will raise the shape and make the whole composition feel more 3-dimensional.
  3. Be sure to place the small pieces all over the back of the animal.
  4. Put glue on each piece of foam core board.
  5. Press the animal shape onto the picture plane and gently turn it over.
  6. Gently rub the back of the paper to fix the large animal in place.
    - Turning it over allows you to apply even pressure without tearing or moving the shape.
DRAWING ANIMALS IN THE WILD – Illusion of Depth - Step Eight

Step Eight

  1. Add some shadows under the animals with marker ink.
DRAWING ANIMALS IN THE WILD – Illusion of Depth - Step Nine

Step Nine

  1. In the completed picture we see:
    - Overlapping – Objects block out parts of other objects and get progressively smaller.
    - Elevated Objects – Objects higher in the picture plane appear farther away.
    - Relative Sizes – Objects in front look larger than those in the middle and background.
    - Shading – Areas modelled with light and shadow give the illusion that they are 3-dimensional and occupy space.

Learning Goals

Students will be able to:

  • create a picture of animals in the wild using marker plus water technique;
  • use overlapping, elevated objects, relative sizes and shading to create the illusion of depth;
  • demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity; 
  • support their ideas with evidence found in the works.

Extensions

Have students:

  • imagine that one of their animal has come to visit;
  • create a series of drawings that show the animal as tour guide roaming around their neighbourhood and commenting on things of interest;
  • share their drawings with the class.

Prepare

  1. Prior to this lesson have students experiment with Marker Plus Water techniques in their sketchbooks. 
  2. IMPORTANT!! This technique works best on Crayola Watercolour and Marker paper. If you are using other paper be sure to test it before you begin.
  3. Have students choose a wild animal to research.
  4. Make sure they have a picture of at least one image of the animal in its natural environment.
  5. Download images of animals in the wild from the Internet, e.g.,
    Elephants Painting
    Animals
    Elephants Photo

Introduction

  1. View an image of animals in the wild such as Animals, focussing on the composition of the picture and how it gives the illusion of depth on a flat surface, e.g.,
    - Contrast in Size – smaller objects appear further away from the viewer
    - Placement – objects higher on the picture plane appear further away from the viewer
    - Overlapping – placement of one object behind another makes it seem further away from the viewer
    - Colour – muted colours appear further away from the viewer and create shadows
  2. Next ask them to examine the animal. 
  3. Guide them to think about size, texture, shape and details.
  4. Introduce the challenge.

Activities

The Challenge

  1. Create a drawing of animals in the wild.
  2. Use marker plus water technique to show shadows and blending.
  3. Use overlapping, elevated objects, relative sizes and shading to create the illusion of depth.
  4. Demonstrate technical accomplishment and creativity.

 

 

The Process

  1. Make sure everyone understands the challenge.
  2. Establish success criteria with your students, for example,
    I know I am successful when I have:
    - created a picture of 3 animals in the wild
    - created 3 different sizes of my animal 
    - used marker and water techniques effectively
    - created the illusion of depth
    - included overlapping objects
    - used elevated objects
    - used shading
    - used muted colours in the background
    - kept the paper in good condition
  3. Encourage students to add their own personal touch to their painting.
  4. Guide students through the steps outlined in this lesson plan.
  5. Observe students as they work. 
  6. Provide individual assistance and encouragement.

Sharing

  1. Once all the drawings are complete display them for a group discussion. Remind students of the challenge.
  2. Look closely at the drawings.
  3. Ask students to choose one that interests them for some reason.
  4. Share thoughts about the work.
  5. During the discussion include references to:
      Overlapping – Objects block out parts of other objects and get progressively smaller.
      Elevated Objects – Objects higher in the picture plane appear farther away.
      Relative Sizes – Objects in front look larger than those in the middle and background.
      Shading – Areas modelled with light and shadow give the illusion that they are 3-dimensional and occupy space.
      Technical Accomplishment– how condition of paper, careful cutting and gluing, and attention to detail contribute to a well-crafted artwork

Assessment

  1. Observe students as they work – thoughtful focus, discriminating, seeking more information, elaborating, experimenting.
  2. Observe students as they discuss their pictures – speaks with a clear voice, looks at audience while speaking, points to areas in the pictures, provides accurate information, answers questions from the audience effectively.
  3. Observe students as they listen – looks at presenter, asks effective questions, supports ideas with evidence found in the artwork.
  4. Use a checklist to track progress. (Downloads - Animals_tracking.pdf)
  5. Have students use the self-assessment form to evaluate their work. (Downloads - Animals_self-assessment.pdf)

Downloads

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