Idea Generation & Brainstorming (2024)

Still not sure what to do? Here's some more ideas!

Still Life Ideas
Illustration Friday
Sketchbook Examples

What do you feel like drawing?

Sketchbooks: Loosen Up!

Prepare your sketchbook pages in a variety of creative ways, like painting watercolor or ink washes on the pages, collaging, writing, cutting holes in some of the pages, creating patterns. Alter the pages before you begin any sketchbook assignments/observational drawing... this is a way to take ownership of your sketchbook as a process oriented tool for thumb-nailing, drawing, doodling, writing, documenting, etc. It challenges you to use their time wisely, be creative, and use good craftsmanship. It removes the white pages from the book and allows you to be more expressive with the drawings on the pages. It also makes the sketchbook less intimidating and shows that every page does not need to be perfect; it is more about learning and exploration.
Sketchbooks
Wayne Jiang: http://www.waynejiang.com/sketchbooks/index.html

1. A grouping of seashells
2. A single flower with all its leaves, etc.
3. A cluttered place close-up
4. A pile of dishes sitting on the sink
5. Your favorite food with the wrapper included, and product showing
6. A close up set of 3-5 pieces of popped popcorn
7. A close up of the various pieces from a game, the board, box, etc.
8. A set of keys and a couple other items from your pocket or purse
9. Your shoes or sandals (off your feet)
10. Your sunglasses and what they reflect
11. Your digital camera with the last image showing
12. Your computer from an angle you do not usually view it, cords and all
13. A view out a window of your choice (with motion or still) showing inside and out
14. A shiny Christmas ornament and the view it reflects
15. A magnifying glass and what it is magnifying as well as the space around it that is unmagnified
16. A grouping of photographs of you, your family or friends in collage form
17. Your school books positioned in an interesting manner
18. A single object of choice drawn from several views with significantly different light sources in each view
19. Something you view from a prone position looking up at whatever it is
20. Your pet or favorite object from 3 distinctly different views
21. A pile of shoes
22. Looking from an interior space to an exterior space (IE: a doorway)
23. A figure drawn in an unusual perspective
24. Still life objects
25. Reflective objects
26. Self portraits with expression or mood
27. Pasting a piece of a magazine on paper and then drawing outward
28. Something morphing into something else
29. Painting or drawing in an artist's style
30. Distorted reflections
31. Action!
32. Anatomy
33. Shaded 3D forms showing strong contrast
34. Architectural drawing
35. Art history prints & design elements

1. Draw someone you sit by in an odd pose.
2. Draw family members with things that are important to them.
3. Draw yourself (or someone else) painting toenails.
4. Find a quiet place in a crowd. Draw the crowd.
5. Draw a relative by the light cast from a TV/Phone/Computer or other screen.
6. Make a portrait of yourself in twenty years. Or in fifty years. Or both.
7. Draw a masked man (or woman) that is not a superhero.
8. Draw the ugliest baby you can imagine.
9. Draw two sports figures–one in a dynamic pose, one in a static pose.
10. Draw two self-portraits with odd expressions.
11. Draw something or someone you love.
12. Draw hair. A lot of it.
13. Take a picture of someone near you on a bus or in a car. Draw them.

​

1. Draw an animal playing a musical instrument.
2. There is an animal living in one of your appliances. Draw it.
3. Draw a dead bird in a beautiful landscape.
4. Draw something from a pet’s point of view.
5. Draw an animal taking a bath.
6. Draw an animal taking a human for a walk.
7. Combine 3 existing animals to create a completely new creature.
8. Draw a family portrait. Plot twist: It is a family of insects or animals.
9. Draw the most terrifying animal you can imagine. Or the most adorable.
10. Draw a series of animals in motion. Such as a cheetah running, a rabbit hopping, a bird flying. This can be in any media and you can use just three views or images in a row.
11. The skeleton of a small animal or bird really small or really big.

1. Draw a pile of dishes before they get washed.
2. Tighten a C-Clamp on a banana. Draw it.
3. Draw a slice of the best pizza you have ever seen.
4. Draw junk food and the wrapper.
5. Draw your favorite food.
6. Create your own restaurant. Draw the restaurant, your executive chef, and a 12-item menu.
7. Draw the ingredients or process of your favorite recipe.
8. Draw salt and pepper shakers.
9. Draw fresh fruit or vegetables, or something fresh from the oven.
10. Draw a salad.
11. Draw the oldest thing in your refrigerator.
12. Draw a piece of fruit every day until it becomes rotten.
13. Draw everything on a restaurant table.

1. Draw what is in the rearview mirror of the car.
2. Draw moving water. Draw still water.
3. Draw an object floating.
4. Make a drawing of all of your drawing materials.
5. Find a trash can. Draw its contents.
6. Draw tools that belong to a certain profession.
7. Draw three objects and their environments. One of the three should be in motion.
8. Draw the interior of a mechanical object. Zoom in, focus on details and shading.
9. Create three drawings of messes you have made.
10. Draw five objects with interesting textures: wood grain, floors, tiles, walls, fabric, etc.
11. Draw a collection of purses, wallets, or bags.
12. Draw your favorite well-loved object or childhood toy.
13. Draw a watch or another piece of jewelry.
14. Draw something hideous that you keep for sentimental reasons.
15. Draw something with a mirror image.

1. Draw all the contents of your junk drawer with one continuous line.
2. Make a detailed drawing of a rock.
3. Draw a dark object in a light environment.
4. Draw a light object in a dark environment.
5. Make a detailed drawing of five square inches of grass.
6. Draw a transparent object.
7. Draw a translucent object.
8. Do several studies of eyes, noses, and mouths in a variety of poses.
9. Draw an interesting object from three different angles.
10. Value Studies–Draw three eggs and part of the carton with a strong light source.
11. Draw three metallic objects that reflect light. Focus on highlights and reflections.
12. Refraction–Create two drawings of separate objects partially submerged in water.
13. Make three drawings (your choice of subject) using materials with which you are not familiar.
14. Draw a piece of patterned fabric with folds.
15. Draw a bridge and all of its details.
16. Select an above or below point of view in a specific area (your room, kitchen, bathroom, outside, in a car, etc.) Complete this drawing paying attention to details. You may complete the drawing in pencil, colored pencil, pen, etc.
17. Arrange three related objects (3 kitchen items, 3 shoes, sports equipment, etc.) into a composition. Draw on one page using a light source and shading.
18. Practice drawing anything from observation- the most common things are good practice.
19. Look at yourself in a spoon- draw the distorted image.
20. Make a detailed drawing of your hand holding something related to the season OR related to school. Make the drawing large enough that it touches all the edges of the page. You may add color or use shading.
21. Practice observational drawing skills by drawing from the following list:
    1. Shoes
    2. Corner of a room in your house
    3. Create an arrangement of objects, use a lamp or other light to make dramatic shadows,
    4. Your pet
    5. Creative views of your car, bicycle, skateboard, etc.
    6. Make the image reach all the way to the edges of the page. Demonstrate what you know about point of view, emphasis, composition, positive and negative space, etc.
22. Draw your eye twice in two very different ways, both from direct observation.
    TWO DRAWINGS, DIFFERENT APPROACHES, DIFFERENT PAGES
    1. Make a DETAILED drawing of your eye and the area around it. Include everything you see when observing closely in clear, even lighting.
    2. For the second drawing, make a drawing in HARSH lighting, showing the shapes of the shadows only. SUMMARIZE, don’t itemize. This drawing will not contain detail, but will accurately represent the shapes of light and shadow on and around your eye area.
23. Draw a portrait using light and shadow. In order to achieve strong gradations and a sense of form, place a light from different angles than normal. These can be under the chin, behind the head or from the top. This can be in graphite pencil or colored pencil.
24. Study your feet and shoes. Create a strong thick and thin contour drawing of your shoes drawing from different angles. Include more than one drawing on the same page over lapping and filling the format. Pen or pencil.
25. Draw a place around the outside of your home. This can be a plant, part of the building or objects on the porch. Use ink and watercolor to create a strong contrast between the color and the ink. Crosshatching as a style is suggested but not required.
26. Draw bottles and cans. Have them crunched up for details in the reflections and folds of the metal. Include lots of detail and only show a small area instead of the whole can or cans. If it is a bottle, find an area that shows off the reflections and surface quality of the bottle.
27. Create a series of positive and negative space designs. On your desk at home stack a few objects into a pile. With a light shining from the back look at the space that is white (light) and draw the shapes as a contour line shape. Use black paint or ink to fill in the spaces as a flat shape. The silhouette of the object should still be seen but new shapes created.
28. Draw a piece of furniture in your house. This can be in color or black and white. Sit in an area and observe the lines and shapes of the piece. Create a format around your observed area and look for textures, gradations, wood grain or interesting shapes and make a detailed study.
29. Pop some popcorn. Take a few kernels and look at the shapes and shades created. With pencil and smudge shading, study a few of the kernels and fill the page with them. This drawing should show a good sense of drawing skill and soft grays with aTortillons or some blending device.
30. Draw yourself using a strong light source on one side of your face. Use a mirror and try to have some expression. Focus on the strong shadows created by the light. Use pastel for blocking in large areas with a lesser amount of detail.
31. Divide the page into three areas with a ruler. Create a very involved contour drawing with pen of a small object of your choice and put it in one of the areas going outside the shape. Next, in another area, draw the same object with pencil using good shading and proper proportion. For the last area, distort or abstract (like in cubism) the same object using three values or colors.
32. Draw a chess set set-up and partially played - do the same with other board games- use your favorite game from childhood.
33. Landscapes with and without man-made structures.
34. Draw buildings and man-made structures with character- bridges- the interior of old churches or old theaters.
35. Fill bottles with colored water and use in a still-life.
36. Fill plastic bags with objects and draw - draw bags of candy or marshmallows.
37. Play the Password Game. Divide the class into groups of five or six. Use one painting each group comes up with five descriptive words from the same work of art. The students share their words with the class and everyone must then take all the words and write a piece of poetry. The poetry must use all the words, words that are repeated must be used as often as they are repeated. Students then illustrate their poetry.
38. Draw small architectural, mechanical things tiny may be very small drawings only 3 or 4 inches
39. Contour drawings of insects like a bug collection... (or dead flies off the window sill)
40. Botanical drawings especially pine or spruce twigs w/pinecones.
41. Wash drawings from real life
42. Wash drawings taken from paintings, esp. of groups of people
43. Use a slinky or tubes to demonstrate circles and ellipses in perspective
44. Five views of the same object or objects.
45. Rather than just drawing hands, draw the same hand rotating and changing with each view...
46. Draw the face, at least twice, summarizing it into shapes of shadows and light. You may draw from a HIGH CONTRAST photos, or from direct observation, harshly lit.DO NOT use any magazine photos of models, which are meant mainly to showcase makeup.Observe and record how the shadows connect features.Media: Your choice ofGraphite Sticks,Oil Pastels,Charcoal, or any media you feel will give you the high contrast you are seeking.At least 2 faces. If it is your own, you can just change pose or lighting.

1. Draw yourself as an original superhero.
2. Draw a noise.
3. Make a drawing that looks sticky.
4. Draw a mysterious doorway or staircase.
5. Draw an empty room. Make it interesting.
6. Draw a flower. Make it dangerous.
7. Draw an object melting.
8. Draw an imaginary place, adding all kinds of details.
9. Draw a gumball machine that dispenses anything but gumballs.
10. Danger! Draw yourself in a dangerous situation.
11. You are on the back of the bus. Figure out who is with you, where you are going, and why. Illustrate and explain.
12. Draw what’s under your bed (real or imagined).
13. Draw the most incredible game of hide-and-seek you can imagine.
14. Create a new sport. You can improve an existing sport, combine two existing sports, or come up with something completely new.
15. Over 2 pages show the gradual transformation of a pair of scissors into another object- example: scissors into a shark- DON'T USE THIS EXAMPLE. Details are needed in the drawing- color is optional.
16. Choose an enclosed space- a kitchen cabinet, a television, an oven, a refrigerator, in a drawer or closet. What human qualities do the objects in the enclosed space assume when no one is watching? Do the mustard bottles dance? Do the socks play cards? This can be one page with details…be sure and show the interior of the space as well as the objects.
17. What happens when a 6-foot tall squirrel shows up in your yard?
18. Illustrate a dream you have had using only 5 symbols (single images that communicate ideas) This may take one or two pages. You may use color or black and white to complete the image. Consider what you know about composition, emphasis, etc. as you build the images.
19. Practice drawing from your imagination by drawing from the following list:
    1. What would you see if you grew wings and flew over our town?
    2. What if your big toe became its own person?
    3. What if you suddenly became very very small?
20. Draw or design a vehicle. This can be a car, spaceship, airplane, boat, motorcycle, bicycle or anything you want. Include details and make it big! Any media
21. What does the holiday season really mean to you? Your image can be abstract or realistic; you may choose the media. AVOID common images- meaning if you choose to show holiday gifts- SHOW THEM IN A CREATIVE WAY!
22. Where is Waldo? Students take one sketchbook page and fill it in with miniature drawings of everything that relates them and their lives… gum, braces, football jersey, soccer and footballs… etc and endless… the page must be filled, no blank space and all items are reduced to the same or nearly same size.

1. Make a drawing that is totally truthful.
2. Make a drawing that lies all over the place.
3. Make a drawing that is completely and utterly impossible.
4. Story Illustration: Fix a story that you don’t like, or reflect/improve upon one you do.
5. Let someone else choose your subject and tell you what to draw.
6. Draw your greatest fear.
7. Use song lyrics, quotes, or poetry to inspire a drawing.
8. Find the three most useless objects you can and draw them.
9. Draw an interesting form of transportation.
10. Draw something for which you are thankful.
11. Go somewhere new and draw what you see.
12. Draw something that can’t be turned off.
13. Draw something soothing.
14. Draw something you think sounds or smells incredible.
15. Draw something that needs fixing.
16. Draw something you’ve always wanted.
17. Draw something out of place.
18. Draw something that should have been invented by now.
19. Draw something you keep putting off, or something that causes you to procrastinate.

1. Conflict of interests
2. More than meets the Eye (I)
3. Me, myself, and I (eye)
4. Warped
5. Nightmares/Other worlds
6. Habits
7. Food.. You are what you eat / Your family at breakfast.
8. Lonely -- L (one) ly inspired by the e.e.cummings poem "1(a"
9. The seasons
10. The End
11. Pairs
12. I get around
13. Balance
14. Home is where...
15. All that glitters...
16. Pretty -- as a picture
17. Layer it on
18. So transparent
19. A touch of __________?
20. Messing around
21. Over the edge (this one led to a student doing his concentration on Robert DeNiro film roles)
22. The senses
23. Threads
24. It's my nature
25. Take cover
26. It's not easy being green
27. Color outside the lines
28. Hot and cold
29. Lemon Yellow
30. Black and White & red all over (so glad a student made red - read)
31. Sunset
32. Metallics
33. Autumn
34. Forest floor

1. Choose a portion of a magazine or newspaper picture. Glue that picture on a page in your sketchbook. Create a drawing that incorporates that picture into a story. You may use more than one magazine or newspaper image BUT the artwork should be made mainly from your added drawings. This artwork should span 2 pages. You may use color or shading. OR you could use a color scheme (monochromatic, etc.)​
2. Create an image using only found images (from magazines, newspapers, worksheets, etc.) The image should communicate a message or tell a story.
3. Appropriate an image from magazine/newspaper/web-image that illustrates/demonstrates an unusual point of view of common objects, space/place, architecture, or group of things/people, other.
4. Create a design using elements from magazine or newspaper images. Cut and paste the images onto the page in your sketchbook to create the design.

1. If you got a holiday card from one of these artists what would it look like?
   1. Pablo Picasso
   2. Berthe Morisot
   3. Salvador Dali
   4. Georgia O’Keeffe
   5. Vincent Van Gogh
   6. Frida Kahlo
   7. Claude Monet
   8. Jackson Pollock
2. Using color (Cray-Pas) create an Impressionist Landscape drawing. Use Van Gogh, Manet, Seurat, Pissaro, Sisley, or Cezanne as your guide. Use the internet and look up these artists to observe their work. Find a landscape on the net as well and draw it as an Impressionist.

1. Identify an object that relates to your identity. Create an artwork that uses the image of that object (or the actual object) as the SINGLE FOCUS of the artwork. Open media.
2. Fill in the blank… "I am a _________ in this world." Use the text of the completed sentence to inform the artwork. Open Media. This should be a 2 page spread
3. Answer these questions with an image:
   • At age six I was ________
   • At age twelve I was _______
   • Now I am ________
   • At age 25 I will be ______
   • At age 75 I will be ______
   • Arrange these images in a composition that communicates your identity. Open media. Should span at least 4 pages in some order that communicates the answers to the questions.

1. Draw on white Mat board, cover with several layers of gloss medium, cover this with oil paint- release the drawn image, the paint and the medium.
2. Tape a pencil or marker to a yardstick or long dowel; use this to draw on papers attached to a large wall.
3. Draw on objects or surfaces not usually used to draw on... these may be primed with tempera paint.
4. Stain plaster with tea, coffee or other natural materials... let "dirty" snow balls melt on drawing papers... draw or 2D over the dried color
5. Use a small picture frame, 8 x 10" (20 x 25.5 cm) or 10 x 14" (25.5 x 35.5 cm), stretch dampened paper by gluing the edges withElmer's Glue; it will shrink and tighten when dried. Use this as a drawing or 2D design surface. The surface is "soft" and will not allow much pressure and for sure no erasing!
6. Draw on Mylar over an art history print with graphite to show the shapes, then another sheet of Mylar the directional lines, then the 3-5 local colors, and shading values
7. Take a page from the notebook for another class and draw over the notes
8. Every night for I week draw the same object in a different media on neutral ground paper
9. ​Stretch an old pair of jeans or flannel shirt. Prime with tempera if necessary, use this as a drawing surface for chunk charcoal or graphite sticks.
10. Use oil pastels to enhance enlarged line drawing. Select among the following color relationships to be a guide to using color for expression and emphasis.
    1. Warm hues with cool accents
    2. Cool hues with warm accents
    3. Monochromatic
    4. Complimentary
    5. Analogous

2. Another good idea is to print out a variety of sketchbook assignments on address labels and give them to the students. I have printed 30 different assignments on one page of sticker labels and printed one (each student receives the same problems) for each student, there is some initial cost for the labels but you will not have to give out another assignment sheet for the rest of the year. I created open ideas that instill good observational, creative, and compositional skills. Give each student the same printed page and they can chose what problem to tackle for their sketchbook for the week and stick the one they selected to the back of the page, or you can have them stick them to the prepared pages and they would be forced to move through the sketchbook in an unordered way. This gives the student options and allows them ownership in what they draw each week depending on their mood... but also keeps them focused on the skills they need to work on during the year. I have them staple the label page to the back of their sketchbook so that they do not lose it. I saw this idea and loved it and decided to adapt it to my art 2 and 3 classes and what kid does not like stickers?....even high school kids have a fascination.See list of ideas:

Sketchbooks - Engaging CreativitySubmitted by:Nicole Brisco
Sketchbooks - Engaging Creativity
Ideas for the first day to engage creativity in any advanced class. I begin in Art 2.
See alsothis pageandthis page!
Make your ownsketchbook!
1. Once I hand outSketchbooks(or have students bring or make them) I have the students prepare the pages in a variety of creative ways, like paint washes on the pages, collaging, writing, cutting holes in some of the pages, creating patterns. This is just to alter the pages before we begin any sketchbook assignments/observational drawing... I know some people alter books and that is a great way also but I like the idea of the kids taking ownership of their sketchbook as a process oriented tool for thumbnailing, drawing, doodling, writing, documenting, etc. It is a good first day activity especially if you give them a list that is open to interpretation, this challenges them to use their time wisely, be creative, use good craftsmanship, and follow directions. It is also a no pressure assignment that allows the kids to get to know each other. What I like about this is that it removes the white pages from the book and allows students to be more expressive with the drawings on the pages. It also make the sketchbook less intimidating and helps students to understand that every page does not need to be perfect and is more about learning and exploration. We look the sketchbooks of Wayne Jiang athttp://www.waynejiang.com/sketchbooks

Handout for students:
Drawing II Honors and Drawing/Design III Pre-AP
First Day Activity
Sketchbook Surface Prep

Sketchbooks are an amazing opportunity to draw, visualize, write, thumbnail, or fill countless hours doodling and relaxing. Part of the problem with sketchbooks is that artists see them as the enemy. They are white pages that command a perfect image. Consider using your sketchbook as an extension of your personality as well as continuing to improve your artistic skills. Remember your sketchbook is a tool to better yourself and not viewed solely as a grade.

Directions: Using the list below prepare pages in your sketchbook using your own individual flare. You will be graded on the completed steps, your inventiveness, and craftsmanship. Each page can now be "used" and hopefully the white page syndrome of the sketchbook will fall by the wayside. Remember you are not creating finished works, but creating interesting surfaces to draw onto later. "used" and hopefully the white page syndrome of the sketchbook will fall by the wayside. Remember you are not creating finished works, but creating interesting surfaces to draw onto later.

1. Create a two color wash on the page.
2. Collage text on the page and wash over the page to subdue the texture.
3. Scribble on the page with pencil; blend with a paper towel to create a value.
4. Create a one color wash on the page.
5. Cut squares in the page.
6. Draw a childlike drawing on the page and paint over it.
7. Create a repetitive pattern on the page using a geometric shape.
8. Find a simple object and cover the page with simple contour drawings of it.
9. Using muted colors paint a page.
10. Create a texture on the page with paint by lifting paint with a towel.
11. Create a negative space painting with a wash.
12. Cover the page with writing about your first day and summer.
13. Collage random pieces on the page.
14. Cut strips of colored paper and glue to the surface.
15. Doodle on the page with a pen.
16. Trade books and have another student treat the surface of a page
17. Tear a page out and re-collage onto another page.
18. Find a leaf outside. Represent the leaf in some way on the page.
19. Other media exploration.
20. Prep 5 other pages any way that you would like.

Remember that the pages should not be overwhelming. Be neat, use good craftsmanship, and beware of pages sticking together.

FINALLY...
A sketchbook is a journey, not a destination!!!
2. Another good idea is to print out a variety of sketchbook assignments on address labels and give them to the students. I have printed 30 different assignments on one page of sticker labels and printed one (each student receives the same problems) for each student, there is some initial cost for the labels but you will not have to give out another assignment sheet for the rest of the year. I created open ideas that instill good observational, creative, and compositional skills. Give each student the same printed page and they can chose what problem to tackle for their sketchbook for the week and stick the one they selected to the back of the page, or you can have them stick them to the prepared pages and they would be forced to move through the sketchbook in an unordered way. This gives the student options and allows them ownership in what they draw each week depending on their mood... but also keeps them focused on the skills they need to work on during the year. I have them staple the label page to the back of their sketchbook so that they do not lose it. I saw this idea and loved it and decided to adapt it to my art 2 and 3 classes and what kid does not like stickers?....even high school kids have a fascination.
​
Here is asample label filecreated by Gloria Rabinowitz

Sample Word filefrom Nicole Brisco created for Avery 5160 Labels
Here is asample label filecreated by Gloria Rabinowitz

Ideas and Assignments
Here are some old and new ideas... the earlier ones in the list are more simple than the later ones.

• Outside vs Inside
• Object suspended in colored dish detergent
• Pile of pillows
• Fabric with a pattern
• Childlike drawing made into fine art
• Close up to abstraction
• Insets, drawings within a drawing
• How it works: Inner workings of a machine
• A word and visual description
• Contour line drawing using only letters: Repetition
• Masking tape patterns and color
• 2 old drawings torn apart and made new
• Draw on top of an old drawing
• Insects
• Man made vs natural
• Opposites collage
• Less than an inch (small objects in repetition)
• Mechanics of an object…create a drawing as a designer would have first drawn it
• A chair as a self portrait
• Mundane
• Accidents…random acts of art
• Exaggeration
• Value study with dried up markers
• 5 Drawings on top of each other
• Numbers: How many ways
• Geometric COLLAGE:
• Linear Line Drawing of Organic Objects
• Jim Dine: TOOLS
• Negative Space Only
• How do I love art: Let me count the ways!!
• I hate these things!
• Dirty water drawing with Sharpie (weighted line)
• Drawing with colored paper
• Only object I found at this location_____? Collage Design only, No other media.
• Dots to Drawing: Only a pencil eraser and ink... Stamp your heart out!!
• Non Objective
• Oops, Wrong Color?
• Lonely Object
• Messiest vs cleanest
• Contradiction
• Ballpoint pen only!!
• Everything in my backpack... Wow me!!
• Music to my ears.
• Normal
• Not Normal
• Plugged in.

Interior: Non-traditional, no buildings... more like the inside of a purse
Extreme light source
Shoes as a portrait
Refuge
Extreme perspective
Organic
All that and a bag of chips
Reflective Identity
One of these things are not like the other one
Hanging or suspended
Free Space
Yesterday
Do you dream in color?
10 things I love about you. (take off of the movie... they are to merge 10 objects that express who they are)
I also like to give the words that they do not know as a prompt and they have to look up the definition
Additional Sketchbook Assignments

Assignment 1: Five things I Love About You

DEPICT OBJECTS YOU LOVE. EACH WEEK, CREATE A STRONG COMPOSITION UTILIZING INTERESTING IMAGERY. AT THE END OF THE SIX WEEKS, YOUR SKETCHBOOKS SHOULD REPRESENT AN OVERALL VIEW OF WHO YOU ARE and WHAT YOU LOVE.
Week 1
Create a drawing that uses expressive line. Be bold. Work the piece until it has a free, but finished look.

Week 2
Create a drawing that utilizes strong contour line and color. Create a center of interest.

Week 3
Create a drawing that utilizes strong contrast. Use media of choice.

Week 4
Create a drawing that utilizes repetition to achieve rhythm. Think creatively.

Week 5
Create a drawing that utilizes mixed media. Do not overwhelm the drawing. Be graceful with your media and allow it to direct you to the drawing.
COLOR, FOOD, CLOTHS, MUSIC, PATTERNS, CHILDHOOD MEMORIES, FRIENDS, CHAIRS, OUTDOORS, BOOKS, CLASSES, HATS, SHOES, FAMILY, CUPS, CLOSET, ROOM, UTILITARIAN OBJECTS, PRESENTS, SUPPLIES, GLASSES, ARTISTS, THINK, THINK, THINK, THINK, THINK, THINK, THINK, THINK, THINK.

Assignment 2: Reflective Surfaces

DEPICT OBJECTS THAT HAVE REFLECTIVE SURFACES. CREATE A STRONG COMPOSITION UTILIZING INTERESTING IMAGERY. AT THE END OF THE SIX WEEKS, YOUR SKETCHBOOKS SHOULD REPRESENT A VARIETY OF INTERESTING AND CREATIVE SURFACES.
Week 1
Create a drawing that uses expressive line. Be bold. Work piece until it has a free, but finished look.

Week 2
Create a drawing that utilizes strong contour line and color. Create a center of interest.

Week 3
Create a drawing that utilizes strong contrast. Use media of choice.

Week 4
Create a drawing that utilizes repetition to achieve rhythm. Think creatively.

Week 5
Create a drawing that utilizes mixed media. Do not overwhelm the drawing. Be graceful with your media and allow it to direct you to the drawing.
All objects must be from life. BE CREATIVE WITH YOUR SURFACES AND THE REFLECTIONS THAT ARE CREATED.

Assignment 3: Do you Dream in Color?

DEPICT OBJECTS THAT DEAL WITH COLOR. EACH WEEK CREATE A STRONG COMPOSITION UTILIZING INTERESTING IMAGERY. AT THE END OF THE SIX WEEKS, YOUR SKETCHBOOKS SHOULD REPRESENT AN OVERALL DIVERSITY OF COLOR AND ITS USE IN ARTISTIC COMPOSITION.
Week 1
Create a drawing that uses expressive line AND COLOR. Be bold. Work piece until it has a free, but finished look. FOCUS ON INFORMAL BALANCE

Week 2
Create a drawing that utilizes strong contour line AND COLOR. Create a center of interest. FOCUS ON VISUAL MOVEMENT

Week 3
Create a drawing that utilizes strong contrast AND COLOR. Use media of choice. FOCUS ON VALUE

Week 4
Create a drawing that utilizes repetition to achieve rhythm WITH COLOR. Think creatively. FOCUS ON MOTIF AND PATTERN

Week 5
Create a drawing that utilizes mixed media AND STONG USE OF COLOR. Do not overwhelm the drawing. Be graceful with your media and allow it to direct you to the drawing. FOCUS ON SURFACE TEXTURE
ALL DESIGNS SHOULD BE NON-OBJECTIVE, ABSTRACTED FROM LIFE, OR FROM LIFE. DO NOT USE 2D IMAGES. PUSH COLOR, AVOID TRADITIONAL COLOR SCHEMES. DRAW WHAT YOU ENJOY, BUT THINK OUTSIDE OF WHAT TRADITIONAL BEAUTY IS. WORK TO CREATE BEAUTY IN THE UNAPPARENT.

Assignment 4: Figure Drawing
Week 1
An easy way to learn to draw the full figure is by drawing the figure from a back view. Drawing a figure from the back minimizes details, stresses shape and contour, and eliminates the face. To make your composition interesting and exciting, emphasize an element or principle of design.

Week 2
Draw a person's head and face using exaggeration to communicate emotion. Work from a live model. First use a pencil to make a general drawing. Note the shapes and planes of the face and how they fit together. Then continue over the drawing with a darker media. Utilize strong contrast to greatly exaggerate the areas you want to emphasize. Work from a live model and do not use a front or side view.

Week 3
Create a drawing of a small group of people. Utilize your skills in design to emphasize the negative space between them. Be creative when dealing with line and shape. Draw from life.

Week 4
Create a mixed media collage and then use figure drawing to add line, value, and color. Make sure the media does not overwhelm the drawing. Focus on strong weighted line, value, and contrast to pop the image. Draw from life.

Week 5
Use a brush and coffee to create a simplistic drawing of shadows (Do not work too wet or the paper will wrinkle). Once dry, come back in and emphasize line, shape and value with a dark contrasting media. Push darkness in the back in an exaggerated way to push the figure forward. Be expressive and work from life.

Spend a minimum of 1 hour on each drawing.
Assignment 5: The Power of Themes: A Diary of Shoes
Week 1
Look at the historical relevance of shoes. Think about their uses during a variety of time periods. Select a time period and create a drawing of shoes that reflects that time period. Examples: Roaring 20's, Civil War. Draw from life and use the full composition.

Week 2
Look at the differences in gender. How are how their shoes are different. Create a drawing using a man's and a woman's shoe. Create an interesting design using repetition. Work from life.

Week 3
Select an artist that appeals to you. Create a shoe that would belong to this artist. Begin drawing from life and then go wild. Use your creativity. Example: Picasso, bright colors, wacky laces or Van Gogh, Subtle colors, pattern in swirls. Create an interesting composition.

Week 4
Create a mixed media collage and then use a shoe from an unusual point of view to add line, value, and color. Make sure the media does not overwhelm the drawing. Focus on strong weighted line, value, and contrast to pop the image. Draw from life.

Week 5
Use a brush and coffee to create a simplistic drawing of a pile of shoes (Do not work too wet or the paper will wrinkle). Once dry, come back in and emphasize line, shape and value with a dark contrasting media. Use darkness in the back in an exaggerated way to push the focal point forward. Be expressive and work from life.
Spend a minimum of 1 hour on each drawing.

Assignment 6: Interiors and Environments
Focus on line and design within your compositions. Refer to the principles of design: rhythm, movement, unity, variety, etc, to enhance your images.
Week 1
Create a drawing of the interior of your bathroom. Focus on angles and lines. Use modified contour line and focus on composition.

Week 2
Create a drawing of the interior of your kitchen. Utilize a full range of value 1-10. Be creative with your mark making. Expressive.

Week 3
Create an interior drawing of your bedroom. Include yourself in the image somewhere. Focus on composition.

Week 4
Create a drawing looking down a hallway. Use color to extend the mood. Focus on some small in this space and make it spectacular.

Week 5
Create a drawing of an unusual interior. Read the definition of interior and work from that. Be creative.
ALL INTERIORS SHOULD BE DONE FROM LIFE. DO NOT USE PHOTOGRAPHS.

Assignment 7: Four Slides and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Each week you will take a slide and create a small work of art out of it. Each slide should fit a theme that you have selected. Choose a theme that is interesting and could be well illustrated in a small area.

Consider the following:

• How can I use media in an interesting way?
• Will my theme and style promote unity?
• How could my slides be deconstructed in an interesting way?
• Is my craftsmanship strong?
• Are my designs compelling and strong?

Within the slide you will have to create a small work of art that would emphasize the theme, you would work directly on the foam core or on a small piece of paper of your choice.

When you have completed 5 slides, you will then mount them onto a piece of black foam core. You should mount them in an interesting and unique way.

Assignment 8: Objective: Objects
Week 1
Draw a person holding an object. Be creative with the object they are holding. Use contour line and make the object the focal point. Use modified contour line.

Week 2
Create a drawing of your favorite object in your room. Place it in your favorite spot inside of your house. Use contour line and focus on composition.

Week 3
Create a drawing of the messiest section of your room. Think about composition and balance. Make sure you have a focal point. Use modified contour line.

Week 4
Select an object from life. Create a contour drawing of the object and put it in an abstract setting. Be creative and focus on composition.

Week 5
Draw a chair. Repeat the drawing to create an interesting composition. Use modified contour line. When you are done use a sharpie marker to create an design using positive and negative space.
Assignment 9: Around the House
Week 1
Subject: Breakfast. Still life of a breakfast setting Example: bowl, spoon, cereal, etc. Work large, go off the page. Focus on Composition

Week 2
Subject: Art Supplies. Still life of art supplies. Example: Pencil,Crayons, scissors. USE MODIFIED CONTOUR ONLY. Work large, go off the page. Focus on Composition

Week 3
Subject: Interior. Select an interior from an unusual point of view. Example: Corner, hallway, child’s view. Focus on Composition

Week4
Subject: Candy. Create a still life using penny candy. Example: Peppermint, bubblegum, suckers, etc.. USE MODIFIED CONTOUR ONLY. Work large, go of the page, Focus on composition

Week 5
Subject: Messiest Drawer in the House. Remove the drawer and draw from a birds eye view. Enlarge objects and go of the page. CREATE A FOCAL POINT WITH ONE OBJECT
Spend a minimum of 45 minutes on each assignment.
Modified from ideas and lists by the Art of Ed, Incredible Art Department, Ian Sands, and Melissa Purtee.