This document provides criteria for observational drawing: - Pay close attention to details, angles, colors, textures, proportions and avoid outlining or simplifying objects. Use shading, measurements and realism. - Create a wide range of values from very dark to very light without smudging. Consider composition and balance between positive and negative space. - Develop both the foreground and background to create a sense of depth. Focus on mark-making rather than outlining. Select 3 to 6 interesting objects to draw fully.

1. Observational
Drawing
Criteria

2. our criteria:
• look at it carefully, instead of just assuming that you know
what it looks like; pay attention to the angle you are drawing
it at
• dramatic colors make it more vibrant
• using your space - trying not to have a blank white
background - finish drawings!
• using shading to capture the texture of the objects
• neatness and organization, including of your drawing process
• good use of details
• contrast and shading
• using measurements to get the proportions right - “sighting”
• realism instead of simplification or stylization - stay away
from outlines or dark lines!
• use your materials well! erasing instead of smudging!
(compiled from our in class discussions)

3. Observational Drawing Criteria
• Wide range of values (from very very dark to very very
light...and all those in between!) DON’T SMUDGE - create value with
your mark-making. Some materials (such as charcoal) make sense with
smudging, but pencil is not one of them. Be proud of your marks! Don’t hide
them!
• COMPOSITION!!! (create visual movement and really think about
where you are drawing your objects on the page - try to have a balance
between positive and negative space!)
• Fully developed foreground AND background (create a sense of
space or depth by paying attention to your background, too)
• STAY AWAY FROM outlining! (this makes your drawing look 2D, or
flat, instead of realistic. Rely on the values within objects to create
edges)
• Be selective in what you choose to draw! (You do not have to draw
EVERYTHING in a still life. Instead, choose an area that seems interesting to
you, and consists of anywhere between 3 and 6 objects or parts of objects.
Remember, everything you choose to draw should be FULLY developed.)

4. wide range of values....

5. wide range of values....

6. foreground AND background...

7. Composition with Visual Movement...