8th grade Sketchbook Assignments

Drawing assignments are to be done on a piece of loose leaf paper or computer paper. Please remember to label and date each sketch. All sketches must be kept in a 2 pocket folder. Students are expected to spend approximately 30 minutes on each assignment. The drawings should be done in pencil (unless otherwise assigned) and should be large enough to fill the page. Each assignment will be collected on every Friday.

Grading Criteria

• Organization: Each sketch is labeled and dated clearly in an orderly fashion.
• Layout: Each sketch uses up the whole space of the paper & shows completeness.
• Effort: Student put forth a lot of time and thought behind their sketch.
• Creativity: Student sketches reflect originality and ability to show unique ideas.
• Craftsmanship: Student sketch is neatly drawn and shows many of the elements of art: line, shape, value, color, form, space & texture.

Sketch Assignments

1. Childhood Memory: Create a composition that illustrates a childhood memory. Use up all the space of the paper. Show line,  shape & value. Due: Friday, February 1st

2. Family Portrait: Draw a family portrait. Organize the drawing based on the ages of each member. Include in the background objects or symbols that represent the personalities of each family member. You may include your pets. Show value.  

    Due: Friday, February 8th

3. Favorite Vacation: Draw your favorite vacation. Does it include a beach? Or ski resort? Show overlaps and a lot of detail in the composition. Include value. 

    Due: Friday, February 15th

4. Dream House: A colonial? Cottage? Ranch? Mansion? Log Cabin? Include a yard with landscaping. Show a lot of imagination and it doesn’t have to be traditional. Use line, shape, texture and value.

    Due: Friday, February 8th

5. Fashionable Outfit: Design a fashionable outfit. Include shoes and accessories. Show pattern in some areas of your design.

    Due: Thursday, February 29th

6. Still Life: Organize 5 to 6 objects together on a table. Sketch out the shapes that you see. Make sure to show overlaps. Think about space and how much you see between the objects. Then show value to create depth.  Due: Friday, March 1st

7. Song lyrics: Pick your favorite song and write the lyrics down on the sketchbook paper. Create drawing (visual) over and around the lyrics. What you draw should be inspired by the lyrics. Take your time and show color. Due: March 14th

8. Black in White picture: Go through old family photos, look through magazines, or look at the internet. Attach it in your sketchbook and then draw it out showing all the different values (light, medium, dark tones). Be neat and use the space of your paper. Due: Friday, March 7th

9. Cubism: Research paintings based on Pablo Picasso and George Braque. Create your own original cubist draw. Use color, line and shape. Due: Friday, March 14th

10. Movement: Create a drawing that shows movement through repetition. Draw to the edges of the paper and also show contrast. Use color.  Due: March, 28th

Please put forth your best EFFORT. Your sketchbook average counts as a project grade. It’s based out of 100 points.

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