| West Virginia Master Naturalist Class Description
| Title: |
SKETCHING AND ILLUSTRATION FOR NATURALISTS |
| Objectives: |
Help students overcome their fear of drawing and understand its
value in observation and note-taking. Expose them to available
materials, principles, and techniques for sketching. |
| Class type: |
Elective |
| Time: |
1 hour |
| Optimal season: |
Any |
| Materials: |
Paper, pencils, disposable technical pens, and (for demonstration)
technical pen, colored pencils, watercolor, brushes. If nature
printing demonstration is planned: water soluble block printing ink,
soft rubber brayer, sheet of plexiglas or heavy glass, paper towels,
water containers. |
| Expected outcomes: |
The student will gain a basic understanding of
- the value of sketching in improving their observation skill
as well as enhancing their notes.
- the fact that anyone can make useful sketches.
- a variety of materials useful in making sketches and illustrations.
- ways to make sketching easier, in black and white or color.
- the considerations particular to drawing for publication.
- the technique of nature printing on paper.
|
West Virginia Master Naturalist Class Outline
| Title: |
SKETCHING AND ILLUSTRATION FOR NATURALISTS |
| Time: |
1 hour |
- Why naturalists should draw
- To enhance observation
- A means of taking notes
- To illustrate your writing
- Materials and techniques
- Archival or permanent materials
- Pencil and paper
- Pen and ink
- Colored pencils
- Watercolor
- Using color
- Hue, value, and intensity
- The color wheel and mixing colors
- Basic principles of drawing
- Arranging your subject – choosing what parts to draw
- Light and shade create form
- Getting the shapes and proportions right, negative spaces
- How much detail is just enough?
- Illustration: drawing for publication
- Establish medium, proportion, and approximate size
- Keep in mind what needs to be shown (e.g., key characters)
- Starting with photocopy or electronic scan
- Digital camera, computer, and printer
- Nature printing for notes and illustrations
- The myth of “artistic talent”
|
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