Please read through the entire assignment before starting the assignment.

Your Home Assignment is to create a drawing of the bouquet (from the same photo reference you used in class), applying the Negative Shape Technique, on white or black paper (ambitions artists can do both!). The difference from your class project is that instead of keeping the bouquet as a blank silhouette, you will add the details to both the bouquet and the background.

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Assignment:

Repeat the same steps as you did in class: start with drawing the “upside-down numeral 8” to “map” your composition (you don’t have to actually draw the figure “8”, but just imagine it to help yourself compose it). Draw the subject by not drawing the subject, but by looking at the spaces around it. Focus on the negative spaces around the flowers - and the silhouette of the bouquet will appear by itself. Color only the negative spaces, leaving the bouquet the color of your paper.

IF YOU ARE DRAWING ON WHITE PAPER:

1. Draw the bouquet in your drawing pad or white cardstock paper. Use black pastel or graphite for the negative shapes, so the bouquet and vase will become a white silhouette surrounded by black background. Draw only the negative shapes and DO NOT SWITCH to drawing positive shapes.
2. Use black pastel on the white parts of the paper to add details on the flowers, stems, leaves, and vase, as you see in the photo.
3. If you need to fix the silhouette or add details onto the background, use an eraser as often as you need.

IF YOU ARE DRAWING ON BLACK PAPER:

1. Use white pastel to draw negative shapes around the bouquet - the black silhouette of the bouquet will appear as if by itself! Make sure to draw only negative shapes and NOT TO SWITCH to the bouquet. The white negative shapes around the flowers and vase will “produce” an elegant-looking black silhouette.
2. Use white pastel on the black parts of the paper to add details, to define the flowers, leaves, stems, and vase (as in the photo).
3. If you need to fix the silhouette or add details onto the background, use an eraser as often as you need.

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Take a snapshot of your finished (and signed!) drawing. You will find that it is easier to appreciate it through a photo!