Kids Geometric Symmetry Fruit
Drawing Lesson
By Spramani Elaun
In this blog I want to give you some simple drawing lessons on geometric shapes and symmetrical balance.
I’m also including a suggested materials list.
Almost everything we draw starts with identifying a common shape or form.
Geometry & Symmetry has fascinated many of us including great minds like philosophers, astronomers, mathematicians, artists, architects, and physicists.
Geometric shapes and Symmetry can be exciting for kids to learn when linked to the natural World.
Patterns of symmetry can be spotted in many natural objects even fruit!
Both lower elementary and upper grade students really enjoy drawing fruit when they discover the fascinating natural patterns within them.
Start Simple
This lesson can be done all in one day or broken into smaller lessons.
Having kids first learn to draw basic geometric shapes can help first before attempting to draw fruit.
For young kids 1st – 4th grade I recommend just practice drawing 2-D flat geometric shapes.
Younger kids need more time to master drawing line shapes in proportion.
Older students can be challenged to make geometric patterns with more detail and consistent proportion.
Older students can also learn how to create volume and space by drawing 3-D line shapes.
Lesson 1. Geometric Line Shape Drawings
Art Supplies you will need:
Sketch paper 3 to 5 sheets or drawing journal
Graphite pencil
Eraser
Ruler
Geometric shape chart
Pictures or still life fruits cut into slices
Steps
1.
Show kids geometric shapes and how they look.
If you want you can go over the names of these shapes and point out simple shapes around them.
2.
Have students sketch a couple of shapes without shading, just in line.
You may need to demonstrate how to make straight lines with a ruler, and how to sketch curved round shapes.
Students may need to learn how to erase lines until they get the exact shape they want.
This step can take several drawings until kids are satisfying with their shapes.
Allow kids to practice this until they can draw recognizable shapes.
For older kids you can discuss how geometric shapes can look 3-D by creating volume or space with lines.
3.
Show kids what symmetry is and what symmetrical balance looks like.
Show examples of the centerline in a symmetrical shape and how both sides are always equal.
4.
Have kids make two to three geometric shapes, then draw the centerline to show symmetrical balance on both sides.
5.
Have kids draw geometric shapes into a symmetrical balanced pattern.
This can be very simple for young kids and more complex for older kids.
Show kids examples of easy to complex patterns.
6.
Ask kids to observe still life or pictures of fruit cut open revealing the patterns inside.
Ask them to see if there are any geometric shapes or patterns.
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7.
Have kids sketch any geometric shape or patterns they recognize.
Ask kids if there is any symmetry balance in these patterns they see.
Lesson 2. Fruit Color Illustration
Art Supplies you will need:
Drawing paper – 8 1/2 x 11
Graphite pencil
Eraser
Ruler
Color Medium – Color Pencils
Pictures or Still Life Fruit Cut into Slices
Steps
1.
Have students select a fruit with geometric shapes, patterns with symmetrical balance.
2.
Draw fruit in graphite pencil and erase all unwanted lines and marks when satisfied with fruit.
3.
Have students color in fruit.
Be sure kids also color in the background to complete their illustration.
For high school students use mediums like gouache, dry watercolor cakes or mix media as an extra step.
In this blog I showed you several lessons that build drawing skills by observing geometric shapes and symmetry in natural fruit.
In easy drawing exercises kids can recognize symmetrical patterns in fruit.
I also shared my basic art supply list to complete these lessons.
And the most important thing I shared is all ages love this project.
You can adjust drawing exercises to be easier for younger kids, and challenging and interesting for older grades.
Lesson Scope and Sequence
Identifying geometric shapes, identifying geometric shapes in nature, basics sketching practice, using a ruler to make straight lines, learning to make curve round shapes, learning to sketch and erase, identifying symmetry, identifying symmetry in natural objects, learning to balance shapes into symmetrical patterns, identifying a symmetrical center point, composition and sketching fruit and practicing color pencil.
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