Drawing
Shapes are all around us! In this activity, you will go on a shape hunt to discover the shapes that are all around you, invent your own shapes, and create a shape drawing.
Grade Level
K-5
Media
Drawing
Big Idea/Theme
Artists observe the shapes around them for inspiration.
Essential Question
How does an artist’s use shapes into their artwork?
Materials and Tools
- Several pieces of paper (any kind)
- Drawing utensil (e.g., pencil, ballpoint pen, colored pencil, crayon, marker)
Activities
Before you start your shape hunt, let’s look at some of the shapes you will need to know.
Shapes can be geometric or organic.
Geometric shapes are always the same: square, rectangle, circle, oval, triangle, and more!
Organic shapes have no specific form and are often found in nature.
Shapes can be big or small, sideways or tall.
Artists work with shapes in many different ways.
Now you are ready for the shape hunt!
Search for geometric shapes in your home.
How many different geometric shapes can you find?
Draw them and label them.
Find the biggest geometric shape in your apartment.
Now find the smallest.
Can you find a small shape inside a big shape?
Now, look out your window.
What geometric shapes can you find outside?
Can you find a shape inside of another shape?
Hunt for organic shapes in your home and outside your window.
Draw four.
Shapes can repeat to make patterns.
Can you find shapes in a repeating pattern in your home?
Draw as many patterns as you can find.
Find a place in your home where you see both geometric and organic shapes.
Make a drawing of what you see.
Now, let’s draw!
When two ends of a line meet, they make a shape.
Invent your own organic shapes by drawing different types of lines and connecting them.
What happens when a straight line meets a curved line?
What happens when a spiral line meets a zigzag?
Let’s draw some more!
How can you put shapes together in an interesting way?
Resources
For inspiration, check out these artists who enjoy working with shapes:
Credits
Shape Up
Written and photographed by Pamela Crimmins, Artist Instructor
Studio in a School NYC Team
Andrea Burgay, Associate Director
Julie Applebaum, Senior Director
Hasna Muhammad, Ed.D., Chair, Board of Directors, Studio in a School Association
Alison Scott-Williams, President, Studio in a School NYC
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