Seventh graders have been studying the use of value, or lights and darks, in art. We started by exploring several pieces of artwork that featured the use of value for emphasis and dimensionality. Then, they practiced varying the pressure of their pencils to create different values. Through the next few months, they have honed their skills, creating values with 2B pencil, colored pencil, charcoal, and watercolor pencil. Exercises have included the "shattered values" project, which you can see here, and extensive practice drawing and shading circles to look like 3-D spheres. They also practiced using those four materials to draw apples. All of the practice exercises were done in their sketchbooks, which they've used since fifth grade.
Today, we took it to the next level for Edible Art Day, or Draw/Eat Day. They chose an apple, drew it, took a bite, drew it again, (etc, etc) until the class ended or until the apple was gone. I have to say that I'm just blown away by these results. The color blending, the shading, the precision, and the accuracy of shape and value are just amazing. Enjoy!
