This project will be about drawing what you see as a realistic representation in order to practice your observation skills. You will create an interesting relief surface out of altered paper and then draw it as accurately as possible.

Grade Level

High School

Procedure

Step 1: Creating the Relief

1. The altered paper relief will need to be as interesting and well composed as you want your drawing to be. You will need to consider the following:
• Good use of space (large empty spaces will not make for an interesting composition).
• Interesting use of paper (forms, textures, lines).
• Interesting values and shadows according to the light source.
2. What are the possibilities for altering the paper? They are endless! You can fold, bend, roll, twist, tear, crumple, cut, shred, fringe, puncture, score, weave, layer, slot, mush, and a lot more!

Step 2: Drawing the Relief

1. Choose an interesting view of your relief.
2. Begin with a very, very light outline of the composition.
3. Begin filling in the value areas of shading and shadows according to the light source we create in the room. Make sure your shading shows the forms of the relief and depicts the textures, i.e., smooth, crumpled, torn, etc.
4. Create areas of contrast instead of outlines defining the edges. Contrast light against dark, rough against smooth, for example. There should be no outlines when your drawing is completed!
5. Try to be as accurate as possible in depicting the relief.

(enlarge)