My School Shoes

The Grade 9 art class had an engaging and thoughtful exploration of drawing and observation, starting with the basics of drawing and then moving into observational drawing to develop their skills and understanding of how to accurately represent what they see. Van Gogh’s painting of his boots was used as a reference to show the students how artists can elevate even everyday objects, such as a pair of shoes, into something meaningful through art.

By using their school shoes as a still life, the students were able to connect with the assignment on a personal level, seeing their everyday objects in a new light. The focus on observing the shoes, rather than drawing from memory or assumption, helped them develop critical skills. They used attention to detail and an understanding of proportion, shape, and shadows. Outlining the drawing with black marker gave them a clean, defined outline, setting the stage for the tonal value work using tempera paint.

The tonal value wash with tempera was a good way for them to experiment with light and shadows, helping them to better understand how different light sources impact the way objects look. The focus on studying shadows and contrasts of light and dark encourages a deeper understanding of the three-dimensionality of objects, turning what might seem like a simple object into a more complex study.

It was a wonderful way to combine technical skills with creative exploration!