Before I start this project, I introduce the idea of creating different values in using a pen. I model stippling, scumbling, hatching, and cross hatching and students follow along taking 'notes' in their sketchbooks. 

Since I do this project with Art 1, I also go through the steps of how to find an image on google that is not copyrighted (change the image search settings to 'creative commons licenses' and change the color to black and white usually helps them narrow it down). See example above. 

Then, I explain how to put the image into google drawings, adjust the size and I even take the time to teach them how to email the image to me so that I can print it off for them. (Students cannot print from my room, they have to go to the library). I also show them how to convert the image to black and white in google drawing. 
Since I am also using this project to introduce the idea of grid drawing, it is helpful for them to have a black and white printed copy of their vehicle. We draw our 'vehicles' on 9X12 paper, and I have them resize the image in google drawings to 4.5X6 and draw a half inch grid on it with a ruler once it is printed. On their actual drawing paper, they draw a 1" grid and the ratios match up pretty well. I take a few minutes to teach them how to read a ruler before they start the measuring process. 

This lesson covers a LOT of things in art 1 that we establish at the beginning of the year. One more thing I added this year was the discussion of 'ellipse' which is the way the tire gets stretched out in an image, and doesn't look like a perfect circle, I encourage them to trust the grid!!!

Pen and Ink Vehicle Drawing                

Materials: ballpoint pen, calligraphy pen, ultra fine sharpie OR other ink pen (microns work great), ruler, pencil

 
Step one: Find a black and white picture of a vehicle of your choice. You can photocopy it from a book or print it from the internet. It can be any vehicle as long as

• The picture has dark areas, midtones, and highlights
• The photo takes up a full 8.5X11 paper (or use 9X12 drawing paper)
• It is a photo and not a drawing. 
• I suggest using a photo from the creative commons. If you choose to use a photo you have taken, convert it to black and white and boost the contrast! 

Step Two: Email the photo to Mrs. Mitchell. Put the photo on a new google drawing or a google doc and then share it so she can print it out for you. 
Step Three: Draw a grid on your photo. Draw a proportional grid on your drawing paper. 

• Optional: You can use the app Grid# but you will want to make sure to put square grid boxes on the photo, 9 boxes on the longest edge and 6 on the short edge.
• If you are using a chromebook, use the website: Art Tutor Grid to add a grid to the photo

Step Four:  Lightly transfer the image using the grid method in pencil. Once you have transferred the image, you can begin erasing the grid lines. 

​Step Five: Use hatching, cross-hatching, contour lines, stippling, scumbling to create the VALUES and TEXTURES in the image. Erase all old pencil lines. 

Examples of good HIGH Contrast images. You can also edit a photo in Pixlr: turn it to black and white and bump up the contrast. ​

If you have trouble drawing the portrait in proportion, you can use the grid method. 

​

This is a fun project that my students enjoy because it is 'different'. The smell of the coffee, the novelty of painting with something that isn't paint, and the abundance of examples available online make it intriguing to my high schoolers. I use it as a warm up to watercolor. We create a monochromatic version of nearly everything we do as an introduction to the material. The info below is what I provide as a handout and you can see my example of the test sheet below too. I usually have them do the 'test' on a 6X9 piece and put their name on it for a grade. We use watercolor paper for the test sheet and the real painting. Students are encouraged to draw really lightly and look up more examples before beginning. I encourage them not to copy someone else's painting, because there are so many examples, they have to make it their own. We use instant coffee, they can put it on paint palettes and leave it to dry and reuse them over and over again. 

COFFEE PAINTING

MONOCHROMATIC refers to a color scheme that is made up of one color in a variety of values and even tones of that same color.  As an example – if you add white to red – you will get a variety of pinks.   If you add black to red – you will get a variety of darker versions of red. 

 In watercolor – we usually don’t use white or black when painting – but rather take one color and dilute it with water.  This creates a variety of values of that same color.   

YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE A GOOD OVERALL CONCEPT/COMPOSITION…

• This means choosing an illustration that can have a wide range of lights to darks. 
  
• Thus choosing a composition with a great light source is key.  This will lead to dramatic lighting – which will pop your illustration off of the paper.   
  
• Choose a drawing that fills the entire page.  These types of compositions lead themselves well to monochromatic studies and almost seem to pop off the page at you.   Remember watercolor is built on glazing – or layering.  Some colors layer really well – whereas others not so much.   So best to test it before you try it. 
  

Practice the following techniques on your test sheet: 

• Value Scale--try to get as dark/light as possible
  
• GLAZING---let one layer dry completely (hair dry if necessary) before adding another layer to make it darker. 
  
• Salt--while the paint is wet, sprinkle salt
  
• Wax Resist --use a white crayon to block out white areas and then paint over it
  

Done with your test sheet? Tape your watercolor paper to a clipboard with blue tape and lightly draw your image in pencil. 

I developed a new project this year that could be done in many different grade levels. It worked well as an introduction to watercolor painting for my Art 1 students. I ended up letting my student teacher wrap up the project, but it was pretty successful for most students. I was also a nice 'seasonal' activity that we started just before Christmas break and wrapped up in January. It provided that winter bridge between semesters. 

If I teach this again, I will have students focus more on the snow globe stand and mask the background to keep it clean....or have a plan for how to finish the white part of the paper, which got a little dirty and rough edges messed up some of the otherwise nice paintings. I will also bring in more actual snow globes to show as examples, I don't own any and had to borrow one for the explanation of how the glass has white reflections on the surface. 

Also, they need to block out the 'white' reflection really well in order to make a convincing glass globe. 

I encouraged them to use some watered down white paint on a toothbrush to create the 'snow' on top as a finishing touch. Because of a million snow days, we didn't actually get to display them during winter, and it felt too late to do it by the time we got back to school. I wanted to share them here, because I am proud of this work!!