GRAPHITE (Value + Realism)

Big Idea

Graphite is about control, value range, and realism. Your goal is to make your drawing look 3D and intentional.

Materials

Graphite pencils (2H–6B if available), blending stump/tissue, kneaded eraser, regular eraser, ruler (optional), drawing paper.

Stage 1 — Practice Assignment (Skills Lab) ✅ REQUIRED

Title: Graphite Control + Value BootcampDue: Before thumbnails

Step-by-step

A. Value Scale (10–15 min)

1. Draw a rectangle divided into 7–9 boxes.

2. Box 1 = pure white (leave blank). Last box = darkest possible graphite.

3. Gradually shade the middle boxes so the transition is smooth.

B. Mark-Making Sampler (20–30 min) Create a full page split into 6 sections. In each section, demonstrate:

1. Hatching

2. Cross-hatching

3. Stippling

4. Scribble shading

5. Blending (smooth gradient)

6. Hard-edge shading (no blending)

C. Form Study (30–45 min)

1. Draw 3 simple forms: sphere, cube, cylinder.

2. Add a single light source.

3. Include cast shadows.

4. Use at least 5 distinct values.

D. Texture Mini Studies (30–45 min) Choose 3 textures and draw a 2x2 inch square of each:

• metal, hair, fabric, wood, glass, skin, stone

Checkpoint: Teacher stamp/initial before moving on.

Stage 2 — Thumbnail Planning + Proposal ✅ REQUIRED

You must do this before the final.

Step-by-step

1. Choose ONE final category (below).

2. Make 3 thumbnails (2–3 inches each).

3. For each thumbnail, label:

   • Light source direction (arrow)

   • Focal point (circle)

   • Where your darkest darks + lightest lights will be

4. Pick your strongest thumbnail and redraw it larger as a rough draft (1/2 page).

Proposal (write 4–6 sentences)

• What is your subject?

• What mood are you aiming for?

• What technique(s) from the practice page will you use?

• What master artist are you referencing and why?

Stage 3 — Final Project (Choose One)

Option A: Graphite Portrait (Realism)

Requirements

• Cropped composition (shoulders up or closer)

• Full value range (light to dark)

• Hair + skin texture demonstrated

• Background must be intentional (simple value, pattern, or negative space shapes)

Steps

1. Choose a high-quality reference photo with strong lighting.

2. Lightly sketch proportions (grid optional, I encourage you to try freehand).

3. Block in major shapes with light pressure.

4. Establish darkest darks early (eyes, shadows, hair).

5. Build midtones gradually.

6. Refine edges (sharp where you want focus, soft elsewhere).

7. Finish with highlights using kneaded eraser.

Option B: Still Life With Dramatic Lighting

Requirements

• 3+ objects

• Cast shadows

• One dominant light source

Option C: Landscape With Atmospheric Depth

Requirements

• Foreground/middle/background

• Value shift (lighter in distance)

• Texture variety

Master Artist Inspiration (Graphite)

Use these for composition, technique, or mood:

• Leonardo da Vinci (observational drawing + anatomy)

• Käthe Kollwitz (emotional value + human expression)

• Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (precision + portrait structure)

4-Point Rubric (Graphite)

Category	4 – Exceeds	3 – Meets	2 – Below	1 – Far Below
Practice Work	All sections complete + strong control	Complete + mostly accurate	Incomplete or rushed	Minimal/unfinished
Planning	3 strong thumbnails + clear plan	3 thumbnails + plan	1–2 thumbnails, weak plan	No planning
Technique + Value	Full range, intentional edges/textures	Solid range, believable form	Muddy or flat values	Little control
Composition + Effort	Highly intentional + refined	Clear composition + good effort	Weak composition or low refinement	Incomplete/low effort