African Animals Drawings
This is a simple project that has students sharpen their observation skills. It may seem like I’ve been doing that a lot, but here’s my simple rationale: these tiny humans are finally cognitively ready to build on the basics of the first semester. We know patterns, shapes, colors, a bit of color theory, etc. Now we have to move beyond those big picture ideas and get a little smaller, a little more difficult with our concepts and skills. Challenge those precious tiny brains to move outside of their comfort zones. This is how we learn. We can’t finger paint forever, as much as we would love to.
We start by naming all sorts of African animals- not just ones found on safari or the Big Five. I’d also have photos and books ready to use as source material.
Examples:
- Nile Crocodile
- Ostrich
- Grey Crowned Crane
- Kudu
- Hyena
- Impala
- Vervet Monkey
- Gorilla
- Okapi
- Meerkat
- Baboon
- Camel
- Aradvark
- African Civet
- Fischers Lovebird
- Hedgehog
- Ratel (Honey Badger)
I could keep going. Were there any surprises on this list? I was definitely surprised by Hedgehog! Choose your animal and you’re ready to get started.
MATERIALS:
+ white paper
+ pencil
+ sharpie
+ watercolor
+ table salt
Choose one animal.
Use your photo to draw your animal. Be sure to capture all those great details- fur, feathers, stripes, spots, quills, scales, etc. Give your animal a simple background like a tree, the ground, or the water.
Give your paper a watercolor wash- cover the whole paper with one color.
While the paint is still wet sprinkle small amounts of salt onto the paper to give it a fun bonus texture. Let the paint dry before you try to wipe it off!
