Introduction to Comparing Size, Shape and Position

• What does the shape remind you of?

• How big is this part compared to that part?

• Where are the parts compared to each other?

• Where do things start and stop?

The ability to draw accurately is not as important as the ability to compose a picture well. All my

students drew the main object from observation – mostly from photos. Then they made up the rest of the

picture using the following compositional guidelines that help create unity, balance, rhythm, as

well as center of attention.

• Overlap• Go off the edge of the paper• Don’t line things up or stack• REPEAT things (shapes, values, patterns, colors, etc.) in different amounts, in different parts of the page

• Don’t divide the page in half diagonally, vertically or horizontally.

• Have some things bigger/some smaller.• Have some things closer together/ some further apart.

• Group objects.

First graders used bugs from our 4th grade science resources. Google insects to find LINE DRAWINGS of insects.

Grade 2

Students in first grade drew them selves by looking in the mirror. First we talked about what to look for. Then they

had to make two different expressions.

Things near look• larger (less fits in the picture)• more detailed

Things far look• smaller (more fits in the picture)• less detailed

Peep Holes - Grades 1 and 2

Things near look• larger• more detailed• lower on the page (on the ground, higher in the sky)

Things far look• smaller• less detailed• higher on the page (in the sky, lower on the ground)

Two Points of View – Grades 3 and 4

Overlapping is a way of showing: “in front” and “behind”

The bottom of the thing beHind is • Higher and • partly Hidden.

First grade students did animals with overlapping grass. Typically they do a see-through, stained-glass window

effect rather than actually hiding the thing behind.

Overlapping Grades 1 & 2

Second grade students worked on the floor, in groups of 4 to draw

stuffed animals propped against the wall. They used the strategy –

compare size, shape and position. (If something looks funny, draw it

the same funny-looking way.)

Third grade students drew a still life of objects using only a few objects at a time and had the freedom to

make up some objects.

Fourth grade students drew one another in groups of four –

two posing, two drawing. It took 4 class periods.