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NSW Department of Education and Training

Curriculum support for NSW Public Schools

Drawing

Practical illustrations of drawing techniques, using a variety of drawing surfaces and tools.

The drawing surface

 Student drawing on easel 

Consider using a vertical surface for students to draw on rather than desktops or the floor. The paper could be attached (taped) to a wall or cupboard, or easels used if available. This gives the advantage of students being able to stand back and look at their work in progress from a different point of view.

Students attaching paper to wall 
   
Student sitting on floor using a clipboard Drawing boards with bulldog clips can be used if drawing activities are out of doors. The boards can be cut from masonite or other scrap timber. Folders or sheets of heavy cardboard could also be used.
Student drawing on clipboard 
   
Student drawing on black paper

Collect a variety of unusual or non-traditional surfaces to be used for drawing on such as textured paper and cardboard, pieces of timber panelling, material, wallpaper, different coloured cardboard and paper, watercolour paper and corrugated cardboard.

Student drawing on a coloured surface

Student drawing on a different coloured surface

Consider drawing on coloured surfaces. This may help provide dramatic contrasts in drawings. The background can also be left showing as highlights or shadows. The intense black of charcoal may be emphasised when it is used on coloured paper

Drawing with bright colours on a dark surface

Drawing media

Drawing with crayons on black paper

Drawing with pencils on black paper 

Collect different implements and materials that may be used for drawing such as: pencils, crayons, pastels, charcoal, sticks, quills, brushes, inks, sponges, toothbrushes, glue, fountain pens, felt tip pens, nibs, strips of cardboard, cotton wool, bamboo, wax, chalk, and leaves. If using pastels, use good quality watercolour or drawing paper, or coloured paper. If the paper is too smooth, the pastel may not draw effectively on the surface. Provide a variety of pencils from soft black leads to harder leads. Keep drawing materials in accessible containers such as old ice cream or margarine containers. Sort according to colour. Consider drawing with white pencils, chalks, crayons, and pastels on black and coloured paper
 

Objects to draw

 Drawing a vase using an easel

 Collect a variety of interesting or unusual objects that could be used as subjects in still life compositions (e.g. teapots, flowers, vases,ornaments, small pieces of machinery, clocks, crockery, toys, dolls, masks, shells, bottles

 A student posing in dress-up clothes
Students draw a posed figure

 Have a collection of dress-up clothes, props, hats etc for students to use when posing as a particular character. 
 
 students posing in dress-up clothes

Protecting drawings

Spray soft lead and charcoal drawings with fixative. Always spray in a well-ventilated area. Some types of hairspray can be used as a substitute for fixative. Test first as this can sometimes lead to a “yellowing” of the work.

Store drawings and paintings flat in individual or class folders. 
 

 

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