Drawing Journal Activity

Keeping a drawing journal is a fun way to improve your observation and drawing skills while keeping track of interesting things that you do over time. For instance, if you go to the zoo or aquarium or just take a trip to the beach, you can bring your drawing journal and sketch the things you see. They do not have to be perfect drawings at all to be fun and record a moment.  The following activity can be linked to a trip to the zoo or aquarium or just help improve your animal drawing skills.

Materials:

• sketch pad (can be an inexpensive drawing pad with no lines).
• sharpened #2 pencils
• eraser
• small hand sharpener
• ziplock plastic bag or small backpack in which to store your drawing supplies

Procedures:

1. Go to the Drawing Animals section of the website.
2. Using the How to Draw Animals Activities, draw several animals in your sketch book. You can do these over and over until they begin to come out how you like.
3. Visit those animals on your next trip to the zoo or aquarium or just watching the animals in your yard.
4. Try sketching them from life, now that you know how to draw them.

Was it easier to draw them than if you hadn't practiced beforehand? Did drawing the animal make you aware of interesting things about their anatomy -- like gorillas have no hair on their faces, or sharks having gill slits?

Below are a couple of Animal Drawing Activities that you can drag off onto your desk top and print out. Then you practice drawing them anytime. These are animals you might see in your yard, so you can practice drawing them from life once you have their form down from practicing.