What We're Up To: Contour Line Exercise

Fifth grade is learning about Vincent van Gogh at the moment!

Left: Vincent's Chair with his Pipe, 1888
Right: Gauguin's Armchair, 1888

After comparing and contrasting two of his chair paintings (shown above) we discussed positive and negative space and that both are equally important in a composition (shown below).

Afterward, students started their own contour line drawings. We put chairs and stools on tables around the room for them to use as reference and the kids got right to work!

I reminded them to look at the subject of their drawings (the chair/stool) as much as--or even more than--their papers; that way, they are more likely to draw what they actually see not just what they think a chair looks like.

I'm so pleased with the results so far! Can't wait to see how these projects turn out.