We started the class with a quick warm up and then step by step we drew our lions with lines, circles and dots a la Monart method. The results show lots of great variety.
This was not only a lesson in trying to break down a drawing into simple lines and shapes but in listening. I challenged the students to patiently wait upon each instruction and to not jump ahead in their drawing. Some students did jump ahead and ended up with lions that were very different from our sample drawing but — still awesome! I’m not completely sure how well that I got the message across that careful listening = more accurate drawing (closely resembling the initial sample) … but I am hesitant to push this too hard as some of the less “accurate” drawings had their own awesomeness because of how they are so unique.
For today’s drawing I asked the students to start with a light coloured marker. Use that light colour to draw all of your shapes and outlines. Don’t worry if you make mistakes, just keep drawing until you think you have the lines that you want. Once finished, use a dark coloured marker to trace over the lines that you like in your drawing (ignoring the lines you don't like). Once finished, the lighter coloured marker lines can be filled in to become the colour of the objects or turned into a decoration or even shadows!
The great thing about markers is that you cannot erase anything! This class is about being brave and being willing to make “mistakes” and to often turn those “mistakes” into something new and better. Today I saw quite a few students deal with lion heads that they thought were too small or legs that they thought were too skinny or even in the wrong place. These students had to learn to accept every marker stroke applied to their paper and if they didn't like it, they had to either lump it or turn that stroke into something else. This strategy is great for encouraging creativity, improve problems solving ability and to help to let go of our concept of “this is good” and “this is bad” in drawing. I have some brave students in this class with many creative ideas. Way to go class!
And last but not least, the drawing created by my lovely assistant. Thank you ma’am. Your lion is terrrrrrrific!
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