Expressive Contour Hand Drawings

Submitted by: Veronica Aguirre, South Middle School, Salina, Kansas
UNIT: Drawing - Hands
Grade Level: Middle School (examples are 8th grade)
Time: 2 to 3 weeks - 45 minute classes

Objective:

You will design a work of art that is focused on line. You will create an original Expressive Contour drawing of your hands. The finished project will involve the use of pattern, balance, movement and unity to make a dynamic piece of art.

Materials:

• 6 x 9" (15 x 23 cm) Sketchbooks Paper, Drawing Pencils, 12x18 (30 x 46 cm) White Drawing Paper

• Black Sharpie Fine Point Markers, Rulers, Heavy Weight Construction Paper

• White Glue, Tag board, Kneaded Rubber Erasers

• Scissors, Colored Pencils

• Graphite paper/ Charcoal /Black Chalk

1. You will draw your hands 5 different times in 5 different expressive positions. Think about hand position and make it interesting!

• One hand per sheet on one side only

• Use at least 1/3 of the paper for your hand

• Hand and eye communication is very important

• Draw what you see

• Remember to include line quality!
  

2. You will pick 3 of your best hands and transfer them to colored paper of your choice. (This can be done by rubbing back of drawings with black charcoal or chalk and than traced onto colored paper. You may also use graphite paper.)

• Go back with your pencil and add more details if needed

• Trace your pencil lines using a black fine tipped Sharpie

• Carefully cut-out hands

• Erase any chalk/charcoal smudges - Set hands aside

3. Design an interesting pattern for the background. This will be drawn on the 12x18 (30 x 46 cm) white paper. * Remember to draw a 1 in. (2.5 cm) border

• Try using directional lines OR Make patterns out of simple shapes OR Have the lines/shapes overlap

• Think about balance in your composition – do you want it to be symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial?

• Thank about how will your hands be positioned on the background?

• You will begin coloring in your background using colored pencils

• Pick colors that go well with your hand color

• Remember to blend and overlay colored pencils to get bold colors.

5. Position hands in desired places. Choose one hand that you would like to have pop-out from paper to create the illusion of movement.

• Take 2 small strips of tag board – bend them to create a "Z" shape

• Glue to the back of hand - one at the top and one at the bottom

Continue gluing rest of hands down onto finished background.