3rd grade Chalk Pastel Animal Drawings

Students in 3rd grade drew animals from reference, using chalk pastel. Students were introduced to drawing from a "reference" image, or drawing from a picture. For the introductory activity, all students drew the same picture, along with the instructor. Students identified simple shapes within a laminated picture of a bird, using a dry erase marker. Next, students drew the shapes they identified, before adding detail and erasing the lines they didn't want in their final image. For their larger drawings, students selected a picture of an animal of their choice, and then identified simple shapes (squares, circles, triangles, ovals, etc.) within the image. After creating a shape drawing of their animal, students added details to help their pencil sketches resemble their reference image. Next, students drew over pencil lines with black oil pastel, before adding color and texture with chalk pastel. Finally, students added a single color or looked to their image for inspiration in creating the background. Some students went back over their lines with black oil pastel as a final step.