top of page

Holding on / Letting Go
Observational Hand Drawings

Problem Statment:

Create a drawing that features your hand or hands that incorporates an additional element in order to express your intention (of holding on or letting go of something)
Use observational drawing techniques, the Elements of Art and knowledge of Composition to create a dynamic narrative.

Problem Statement
Gesture Hand Drawings

Gesture Hand Drawings

Task: 25 points

Using the prompts below create at least 8 drawings of your hand. For each drawing change the size/ position. Drawings may overlap slightly but should not completely obscure

You can only use each prompt twice

Mediums / Prompts:

Marker
Pencil
Multi color
Mixed media
pen

Contour
Blind contour
Fully shaded
Hatching
Pointillism (look up)
Non dominant hand
Extreme zoom in

Tips:

- work quickly

- draw from observation

- change gestures

Next Class:
Bring in 3 different objects to class next time

Idea Brainstorming

Task:

1. Answer the following questions below: Leave space between each answer. The answers do not need to be tangible, they can be ideas. 

 

a. List all the things that you want to let go of in your life now. They can be physical things or more general ideas (ex. “I want to let go of spending too much time on my phone” or “anxiety” or “poor sleep habits” - at least 5 things

b. list all the things you want to HOLD ON TO in the future. Could be physical things or more general ideas (ex. “LONG WALKS IN THE WOODS” OR “HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP/FRIENDSHIP WITH___” OR “EATING HEALTHY” OR “PURSUING MY ARTISTIC TALENTS” - at least 5 things

2. With a color pencil, write down 2 tangible objects that can be used to represent each idea you came up with. 

3. Write down at least 4 examples of how you can let go of an object using your hands. 

4. Write down at least 4 examples of how you can hold on to an object using your hands. 

Idea Brainstorming

Thumbnail
Sketches

Specifications:

- No background imagery

- Must be letting go / holding on to an object

- Minimum 1 full hand or multiple partials

- Larger than Life size

- Draw from observation on photograph

Objects you cannot do:

- Someone else's hand

- Flower

-  a phone

Task:

1. Draw 4 thumbnail sketches with 4 different objects from your brainstorming list. 

2. Meet with Mr. Hanson to discuss 4 ideas. We will pick 2 directions to go in. 

3. Fill out the 2 brainstorming worksheets. 

4. Meet with Mr. Hanson again for final paper. 

Thumbnail Sketches

Refined Thumbnail Sketches

Directions:

1. Meet with Mr. Hanson to discuss your 4 original ideas. 

2. Pick 2 ideas to work from and refine your thumbnials. 

Notes:

-This is the most important part of this process as you are refining your final design. Click on the images to the left to see how student artists changed their layouts from beginning to end. 

Refine Thumbnails

In Progress

(common Mistakes)

Common Mistakes

FInal Drawing

Grading Criteria:

Accuracy of observational drawing
Range of value
Attention to detail
Creative approach to prompt (symbolism)
Composition 

Process:

1. Tone paper (if desired)

2. Sketchlines for proportions

3. Shading

Final Drawing

Artist Statement

Type Up:

1. Answer the following in paragraph form. Type up and submit via canvas. 

a. Are you holding on to your object or letting go? what does it represent?

b. What object did you chose to rep? why? What does it represent?

c. How does your hand gesture emphasize your idea?

d. If you had to do this all over again, what changes would you make to the concept? (if you write that you would not change anything, you will get 1/2 credit at best)

Artist Statment
bottom of page