Activity statement – 7^th and 8^th grade students developed their pen drawing skills via the illustration of a landscape.

I began by having students practice drawing a variety of strokes (lines), such as hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, scribbling, etc. We discussed when an artist would choose to employ one technique over another, and I had students call out what they would choose to express diverse natural textures, such as rocks, tree trunks, a lake, clouds. We then discussed how the density of the lines, whether spaced out our close together, expresses changes in value (light and dark), and we looked at several artist renderings of landscape drawings so that they could visually understand how this works. Even the direction in which you draw the line, (horizontal vs. vertical) can make a difference. See the example below of lines in pen.

Using a photo reference of their choosing, and the pen techniques they practiced, students endeavored to complete a landscape drawing in pen. Students used the Sakura brand pens, and I invited them to try all different sizes, so as to experiment with the varied effects they give. One thing I do not permit is for students to draw the landscape in pencil first. Many want to use the pencil as a crutch so that they can erase any perceived ‘mistakes’, but to do so does not help them develop their skills in pen. Not only that, but it prevents them from becoming fluid and comfortable using pens—so NO pencils! 😉

Once completed, students are often delightfully surprised by the finished composition, and find a new favorite type of artmaking. I brought this unit to both 7th and 8th grade students as part of a middle school elective.

Goals – Students should…

Understand:

• How certain lines are used to express texture and value
• How the density of lines can be used to express value
• Why it’s important to create their drawing in pen only, without the use of pencil first

Know:

• The names of the lines, or strokes, used in drawing

Be able to:

• Thoughtfully employ the various lines to express texture and value

Objectives – Students will:

Create a landscape drawing in pen using specific lines to express texture and value

Resources and materials –

• Examples of landscape pen drawings
• Landscape photo references
• 9×12 and/or 12×18 Bristol paper or tagboard
• Drawing pens in various sizes. I prefer Sakura brand

Questions –

• What do you notice when lines are closer together? How can this be useful?
• What do you notice when lines are further apart?
• (Ask students to give examples of what they might want to express with certain lines, i.e., “stippling for clouds”, etc.)
• Why do you think it’s a bad idea to start the drawing in pencil first?

Evaluation – Did students:

• Complete one pen landscape drawing using the lines we practiced?
• Thoughtfully employ those lines to express texture and value?

Informal:

• Student questions
• Group discussions
• Oral responses to essential questions
• Elaboration and risk-taking

• 7th grade
• 8th grade
• Drawing