Art With People

Note: The lesson Gesture People is also available as a stand-alone, single lesson.

Many have convinced themselves that they can't draw people, so they resort to stick figures. Children then pick up the habit, and the stick people begin to multiply. It doesn't need to be this way.

Drawing people, like all drawing, starts with observation.

The four lessons in this packet use three different techniques for drawing people. Three of the lessons are fun and fanciful and focus on shape, contour and color.

The fourth lesson, observation drawing, leads students through steps that help them look at shapes of clothing, directions of lines, and the attention to proportion that is essential for a reasonably realistic drawing.

Observation drawing can help children become more comfortable drawing realistic people instead of stick figures. With these lessons, children can learn how to observe and draw people with personality. They won't need to ever draw stick figures again!

The lessons in this bundle include:
Patterned Shape People
Mixed-Media Shape People
Gesture People
Observation Drawing (people)

Each of the lessons includes the following:

- a list of art concepts and skills addressed
- materials list
- targeted art and related vocabulary
- detailed steps for introducing the lesson
- directions for the art activity itself
- ideas for extending or varying the lesson, if applicable
- ideas for looking at and discussing art
- ideas for connecting the activity to other curricular areas
- at least one writing extension

Because I teach in California, each lesson also includes a list of the California Visual Arts Standards addressed in the lesson.

The packet also includes a short note to teachers with tips or hints for teaching the lesson, and the url for my blog, where more general descriptions of many of my art lessons can be found.

For more art-making ideas and suggestions:
Making Time For Art -- a free download
Start With Art -- perfect for back-to-school