Contour Line Pine Cone Drawing

For one of our first art project, the students learned the two, very different areas and functions of the left and right portions of the brain. They explored the concept of how to "draw what you see, not what you think you see."  This was very uncomfortable for some to learn; but they persisted and many were very surprised at their successful drawings. 

We began by drawing an upside down images to encourage "Right Brain" thinking; which is the passionate, artistic side.  Where as we practiced quieting the pesky left side of the brain, which usually tries to dominate, is the logical side of the brain; not always helpful when drawing.

We also used drawing aids to help turn off the logical, left side of our brains and draw from the recessive, artistic right side of our brain. One of the drawing aids we used was a viewfinder. Basically, it was a piece of cardstock with a square hole in it.  The students held the viewfinder up to the pine cone and drew just the portion of the pine cone they could see.  Rather then drawing a "pine cone stem" or "pine cone seed", the students concentrated on drawing shapes they saw, eg. a rounded squarish-looking shape with a little point at the center of the end.

 

Well Done 7th Graders!!