From drawing, our kids learn to appreciate more and see more beauty in animals.
Everything is a combination of geometry. Learning to see and describe things using simple shapes can be a very good exercise for kids. When they start seeing shapes out of everything, things aren’t that complicated to draw. Let’s try drawing a panda using simple shapes.
Tools:
Draw on paper: Pencil + Color Pens or Markers
OR
Draw on a tablet with a drawing app
Panda is easy, it’s the combination of circles. Let’s try a more challenging composition! :)
*Is panda still endangered? Extinction loomed. But this summer, pandas also became a global symbol of conservation success. Chinese officials announced that the animals — whose wild population has almost doubled after 30 years of government-led recovery efforts — are no longer endangered
Step 1:
Learn to identify the features. Let’s circle the standout appearance features of this animal. All circles eh? Round and round!
*Draw on paper: Use Pencil to draw lightly because you will erase them later.
*Draw on tablet: Draw on a new layer because you will delete them later
Step 2:
Practice turning the appearance features into very basic shapes like triangles, circles, rectangles, and oval shapes. Yes yes, mostly circles.
If you don’t see shapes for now, try squinting >_o! While squinting, you can see the basic shapes of objects. The spaces between objects will appear more like shapes, making them easier to measure and draw. Accurately drawn shapes and spaces become the foundation of a successful, realistic composition.
Now you have done the blueprint of the animal!
*Draw on paper: Use Pencil to draw lightly because you will erase them later.
*Draw on tablet: Draw on a new layer because you will delete them later
Step 3:
Now start drawing outlines using the blueprint as a guide. Don’t need to focus much on details for now. Just the basic outlines of the appearance features. If you just don’t know what details to ignore, try squinting again >_o!
*Draw on paper: Use a more dull pencil, or apply for pressure when drawing.
*Draw on tablet: Draw on a new layer as the “contour lines” of the picture.
Step 4:
Once the appearance features are done, add more details, (but not too much!). Again, let’s focus on more obvious features for now. Squint again if you are unsure how much is not “too much”. : D
Step 5:
Now lightly erase the blueprint on paper, or delete/ hide the blueprint if using app on tablet.
It now looks more like a live one. Just be very proud of yourself!!!
Step 6:
Now begin to color from light colors to dark colors. It takes some practices to identify the coloring area and what colors to use. But for Pandas, I’m sure you’ll find yourself a genius :). And you do not need to color like any other people, it’s your own style! Think van Gogh!
*Draw on paper: If you find your outlines are gone. Don’t panic, just trace the lines using black color pen AFTER the coloring is done.
*Draw on tablet: Draw on a new layer UNDER the “Outline” layer so the colors do not cover the outlines.
Step 7:
Once the basic colors are done, add more details to them. I personally would like to add some shadows. Again, do not worry if you draw too little or too much detail, just have fun! You’ll become your own van Gogh eventually!
Step 8:
Putting the finishing touches. You can use liquid whiteout or white color pens for some white ornaments!
Love the drawing? You can put your drawing on the products!
Using your or your kid’s original art, we create a unique product that will display your passion, talent and creativity for wildlife. And, we donate all net profit. Visit our Wear Your Art Shop.
5 and 7 year-old-sisters Mira & Chloe have an idea of saving endangered wildlife!
You get to wear their arts or your own art :) and we donate all the profits. Visit us to learn more!
