Exploring the Uses of Principles of Design in Still Life Drawing Cultural and Creative Arts JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 4

Cultural and Creative Arts JSS 2 First Term Lesson Notes Week 4

Subject: Cultural and Creative Arts
Class: JSS 2
Term: First Term
Week: 4
Age: 11 – 13 years
Duration: 40 minutes
Topic: Uses of Principles of Design and Practical Work
Sub-topic: Explanation and Application of Principles of Design in Still Life Drawing
Behavioural Objectives: By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Explain the uses of the principles of design.
2. Apply the principles of design in still life drawing.
3. Create a balanced and visually appealing still life drawing using design principles.

Keywords: Principles of design, still life, balance, harmony, dominance, variety, proportion, rhythm

Set Induction: The teacher will display a still life drawing and ask students to identify the principles of design used in the drawing.

Entry Behaviour: Students have learned about the principles of design (harmony, balance, dominance, variety, proportion, and rhythm) and basic drawing skills.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• Examples of still life drawings
• Pencils, erasers, and drawing paper
• Colour pencils and markers
• Objects for still life arrangement (e.g., fruits, cups, bottles)

Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge: Students have prior knowledge of the principles of design and have seen examples of how these principles are applied in artwork.

Embedded Core Skills: Creativity, critical thinking, observation, and drawing skills

Learning Materials:

• Lagos State Scheme of Work for JSS 2
• Reference books on Design and Art

Content

Uses of Principles of Design:

1. Harmony:
   • Harmony is used to create a sense of unity in a design.
   • In still life drawing, harmony is achieved by using similar colours, shapes, or textures that make the drawing feel consistent and pleasing to the eye.
2. Balance:
   • Balance is important to make sure that no part of the drawing feels too heavy or light.
   • In still life drawing, balance is achieved by arranging objects in a way that distributes their visual weight evenly across the composition.
3. Dominance:
   • Dominance is used to draw attention to the most important part of the drawing.
   • In still life drawing, one object (like a brightly coloured fruit or a larger object) can be made dominant to attract focus.
4. Variety:
   • Variety is used to make the drawing interesting and avoid repetition.
   • In still life drawing, different shapes, sizes, and textures can be combined to create variety.
5. Proportion:
   • Proportion ensures that all objects in the drawing have the correct size relationship to each other.
   • In still life drawing, making sure that a fruit bowl is not larger than the table is an example of good proportion.
6. Rhythm:
   • Rhythm is used to create movement or flow in the drawing.
   • In still life drawing, repeating shapes, lines, or colours can lead the viewer’s eye around the composition.

Practical Work: Application of Principles in Still Life Drawing

Step 1: Arranging the Still Life Setup

• Arrange objects like fruits, bowls, bottles, or cups in an interesting way.
• Ensure the objects are placed at different heights and positions to create balance.

Step 2: Drawing the Objects

• Using light pencil strokes, sketch the outline of each object, keeping proportion in mind.
• Ensure the dominant object (e.g., the largest or brightest item) is well placed in the drawing to attract attention.

Step 3: Applying the Principles of Design

• Balance: Ensure that the objects are evenly distributed in the drawing space.
• Harmony: Use similar colours or textures to make the objects feel connected.
• Variety: Add different shapes, sizes, and textures to avoid monotony.
• Proportion: Make sure all objects look realistic in size compared to one another.
• Rhythm: Use repeating lines or shapes to lead the viewer’s eye through the drawing.

15 Fill-in-the-blank Questions:

1. The principle of __________ creates a sense of unity in a design.
   a) Variety b) Harmony c) Proportion d) Dominance
2. __________ is used to distribute visual weight evenly across a drawing.
   a) Balance b) Rhythm c) Harmony d) Dominance
3. In still life drawing, the largest object can be made __________ to attract focus.
   a) Balanced b) Proportional c) Dominant d) Harmonious
4. The use of different shapes and sizes in a drawing adds __________.
   a) Harmony b) Balance c) Variety d) Rhythm
5. __________ ensures that objects are the correct size in relation to each other.
   a) Harmony b) Dominance c) Proportion d) Variety
6. Repeating lines or shapes in a drawing creates __________.
   a) Rhythm b) Balance c) Dominance d) Proportion
7. In still life drawing, harmony is achieved by using similar __________.
   a) Colours b) Proportions c) Sizes d) Heights
8. A well-balanced drawing should not feel too __________ or too light.
   a) Harmonious b) Dominant c) Heavy d) Proportional
9. The use of one large or brightly coloured object in a drawing creates __________.
   a) Rhythm b) Variety c) Balance d) Dominance
10. Proportion in still life drawing ensures that objects look __________ to each other.
    a) Similar b) Equal c) Realistic d) Varied
11. Repeating shapes, lines, or colours in a drawing creates __________.
    a) Rhythm b) Harmony c) Balance d) Dominance
12. The principle that connects all parts of a drawing is __________.
    a) Harmony b) Proportion c) Dominance d) Rhythm
13. A balanced drawing distributes __________ across the composition.
    a) Texture b) Colour c) Visual weight d) Proportion
14. Using different textures in a drawing adds __________.
    a) Variety b) Rhythm c) Balance d) Dominance
15. Proportion ensures that all objects are the correct __________ compared to one another.
    a) Colour b) Texture c) Shape d) Size

15 FAQs with Answers:

1. What are the uses of the principles of design?
   The principles of design are used to organize elements like shape, colour, and texture in a way that makes a design visually appealing.
2. What is still life drawing?
   Still life drawing involves drawing inanimate objects arranged in an interesting composition.
3. How is harmony used in still life drawing?
   Harmony is used by repeating similar elements like colours and shapes to make the drawing feel unified.
4. Why is balance important in a drawing?
   Balance ensures that no part of the drawing feels too heavy or empty, making it look stable.
5. How is dominance created in a still life drawing?
   Dominance is created by making one object stand out, either by size or colour, to draw attention.
6. What is the role of variety in a drawing?
   Variety adds interest by combining different elements like shapes and textures to avoid repetition.
7. How does proportion affect still life drawing?
   Proportion ensures that all objects are drawn to scale and look realistic in relation to each other.
8. How does rhythm work in design?
   Rhythm leads the eye through the design by repeating elements like shapes or lines.
9. What is the difference between proportion and balance?
   Proportion refers to the size relationship between objects, while balance refers to how visual weight is distributed.
10. How can I achieve harmony in a still life drawing?
    Use similar colours, shapes, or textures to make the objects feel connected.
11. Why is it important to apply the principles of design in still life drawing?
    Applying the principles of design helps create a drawing that is visually appealing and balanced.
12. What is the most dominant element in a still life drawing?
    The dominant element is usually the largest or brightest object that attracts the most attention.
13. How do you balance a drawing?
    Balance a drawing by evenly distributing objects, colours, and shapes across the composition.
14. What does variety add to a still life drawing?
    Variety adds interest by using different sizes, shapes, and textures.
15. How do rhythm and repetition work together in still life drawing?
    Rhythm is achieved by repeating certain elements, which creates a flow or movement in the drawing.

Presentation

Step 1: The teacher revises the previous lesson on the principles of design.
Step 2: The teacher explains how the principles of design can be applied to still life drawing, providing examples.
Step 3: The students will arrange objects for their own still life drawing and apply the principles of design to create a balanced and harmonious composition.

Teacher’s Activities:

• Demonstrate the uses of design principles in still life drawing.
• Guide students in arranging objects for their drawings.
• Provide feedback on students’ work, focusing on the application of the principles.

Learners’ Activities:

• Arrange objects for still life drawing.
• Draw and apply the principles of design to create a well-balanced and visually appealing composition.
• Present their drawings for teacher feedback.

Assessment:

• Explain how harmony is used in still life drawing.
• Describe how balance is achieved in a composition.
• Define dominance and give an example in a still life drawing.
• What is the importance of proportion in design?
• How can variety be applied to make a drawing more interesting?

Conclusion:

The teacher will go around to check students’ drawings and provide feedback. The lesson will end with a summary of how the principles of design were applied in still life drawing.