Sierra Middle School
Riverside, California
(951) 788-7501

Mr. J. Myers
Art Teacher
[email protected]

http://www.rusd.k12.ca.us/ourschools/sms/

7th Grade
Date assigned:
Date Due:

General Class Objectives

Metamorphic Tree

Goal:
The student will demonstrate the ability to show all values from 100% black to 0% black using a standard wooden pencil in the production of a tree-like figure composed from many animals representing 4 or more animal classes.  The picture will be made from student provided detailed photos of animals.  Pencil lines are NOT to show in the finished picture!

Materials:
                8 ½” X 11” white paper  pencil              scrap paper (to shape the pencil’s point)
                                                        . . and a willingness to follow directions

Steps:

1.       HOMEWORK:  Bring in a minimum of 10 photos, not artwork, of 4 different classes of animals.                               homework is due on: ( Fill in the blank ) You were assigned this last week!!!

The classes of animals that one is likely to find are:

Reptiles             Mammals                   Insects                        Birds

Fish                   Mollusks                    Amphibians            and so on.

·   Remember that the demonstration shows how to shade using only the pencil.

·   At no time during this assignment is anything but the pencil used to smear the marks.

2.       Decide which animal you will use for the “root” of the tree.  The “root” could be one, two or even three different animals, but you are to draw only one at a time!  Draw your first animal’s outline lightly and then proceed to shade it in taking 30 or more minutes to do so.  Carefully tug the animal and push it to fit an area that looks like a tree root.

See how this would make a good start on a "tree"?

3.      Continue adding animals from different classes as you build up your tree.  Whichever animal you decide to use spend about 30 minutes or MORE on each separate photo/drawing.  Carefully tug the animal and push it to fit each area, each time making it tree-like.

Try to avoid a giant pile of animals with no purpose, as seen here.  If only the artist had made the hummingbird flow above the seahorse's head and against the deeps sea fish all would have been much better.

4.       You should work on each drawing until you are about 75% finished.  You do this so that when you have several animals done you can go back and finish them to about 85%.  As you work the “tree” you add first one, then another, always revising the work as a whole as you go.

Here are some samples of "nice work", but I am sure yours will be even better!
   
The photo source at left and mine at right... notice how I use the lighting in the source to copy onto my paper?  Why not check out the spots??  You will find that I changed them very little when I copied them.  The larger version of this is further below on this page.



 This one doesn't really look like a tree, but it does show animals that are drawn together.  Notice that there is a good value range.  Blacks and whites are there with no negative spaces.  I think that another animal needs to be added to the bottom left to make the "root" area look more tree-like.  Then another animal can be added for a "branch" at the upper left.  Better care in fitting the animals should have been doe to shape the "trunk".  If you learn from this one's mistakes then you are the better for it!  Good luck.

   
See how one can shade?  Don't show any outlines!  Check out my work below:

5.       This type of assignment will NEVER be ”finished” because of the extreme amount of detail that needs to be represented.  BUT you can continue for only so long before you go nuts, SO work on an animal for the above time and then move on!  After a new animal is started you might want to go back to see what now needs to be done.

       See the amount of detail that a regular pencil will give if you also know how to shade?  "

Notice how there is NO NEGATIVE SPACE between animals?  This is what you want to strive to do.
You can also tell where one animal starts and the other begins because you have selected a different classification of animal.  The insect (dragonfly) is above a reptile (tortoise) as well as below a fish (to the upper right) and beside a mammal (giraffe) to the left.

Mrs. Myers once told me,
"Practice makes Progress"
so that is why I always tell you that!

Things to ponder:

have fun following the samples            take your time to be correct            NO Erasing!

keep the pencil tip dull and FLAT                   no erasing            values means darkness

Shade away the outlines!!              Don’t show any pencil shading lines             Slow down!

proudly share what you do                take your time            have 100% black TO 0% black            no lines

contrast the animal’s skin types               don’t erase              take plenty of time to do it correctly!

you are graded on neatness and a full range of values             be creative            "fat and flat pencil"

gently shade              take your time to be neat            enjoy your work!

include all the photo’s details ask for help from your neighbor            proudly share what you know

use 20-45 minutes to draw one animal!                       no erasing

Grading Rubric

A        All the work shown has a crisp sense to it with no smudges and fuzzy areas.  The work is original and carefully done with the animals being pretty well copied from photos.  There needn’t be many animals, only ones done well; quality is the goal, not quantity.

B         As above but an area or two may feel rushed.  The entire work is an example of concentrated effort on the part of the artist.

C        Some animals do not look very realistic due to being rapidly drawn.  Details may be distorted or lacking.  Average work for students this age who don’t seem to put in 100% effort.  An acceptable grade, but NOT one to be proud of by and large.

D        Poor quality work because of a lack of attention to detail.  The demo was not followed very well and the suggestions by the teacher were not followed.  Probably due to too much talking and an “I’m looking for a photo” type of response when told to get to work or drawing too many animals with little care.

FAIL Too much of the attitude of “who cares!” and “I forgot my pencil”.  Probably no homework done, though given plenty of time to do so.  The paper shows a lack of commitment.  Shading is not done properly and suggestions by the teacher, web site, handouts and posted work went unheeded.  Usually shows that the student is afraid to try out of fear of failing.  When a student tries to do something by listening to the help of others their work gets better.  Remember, “Practice makes progress”.  The traits of listening and practicing are not found on a FAILING paper.

 back to top

Last updated on 5 November 2008