High School

Drawing by Shyann T., grade twelve.

The Essential Question
Why do people select certain objects for display?

Objective
Students will draw antique silverware using the inverse perspective method.

Materials
white charcoal pencils, kneaded erasers, blending stumps, black charcoal paper

Procedures
1. Demonstrate how to effectively use white charcoal on black paper using the inverse perspective method. (Objects farther away from the viewing plane are drawn larger, and closer objects are drawn smaller.)
2. Students practice the method by drawing a small 5 x 5" (13 x 13 cm) study using a wooden egg or other small object of their choice.
3. Students engage in a critique with the instructor before proceeding to the final project.
4. Students select one to four pieces of antique silverware to render onto 11 x 14" (28 x 35.5 cm) black paper, demonstrating composition, proportion, space, texture, value, contrast, and details.

Assessment
Students participate in a group critique.

Frank Juárez is an art teacher at Sheboygan North High School in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.