The Draw Write Now series includes step-by-step drawing instruction and short sentences for writing practice. In addition, each book is a complete unit study for exploring history, geography, natural science, and social studies. The lessons are flexible and easy enough for children to use independently or as a fun family activity. The series has received numerous awards for its value in the home as well as in the classroom.
After Drawing the Heron . . .
Draw the Background
Allow approximately 15 minutes for the children to draw a background. The children should be encouraged to use their own ideas, but most will appreciate ideas that you can share with them.
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To get started, suggest that the children think about where the horizon line will be drawn. They may choose not to include one.
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The heron may be wading in water, walking on muddy or dry land, or perched in a tree.
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Encourage the children to keep their background fairly simple. Too many additional animals or insects may detract from the subject. The star of the show is the heron!
Write or Talk
After drawing the heron, write or talk about the drawing.
Color the Drawing
After Writing about the heron, color the picture!
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Great Blue Heron
Drawing Lesson
Draw Write Now,
Book 6
by Marie Hablitzel and Kim Stitzer
Each lesson in Draw Write Now is presented on two pages; one page shows the drawing and the other gives step-by-step instructions. The books are clear and easy enough for a child to use by themselves. General written instructions are included in the beginning of each book, but we go into more detail with these samples.
Draw the Heron
Have the child look at the color drawing of the heron.
The skill of drawing requires that a child look at a complex object, then break it down into smaller more manageable pieces:
- Pay close attention to the placement of the first line (Step 1). This is the basic form of the head, neck, and back of the bird. Is the heron's head up high enough on the paper so that there is enough room for the long legs?
- The head oval is smaller than the body oval.
- The front of the neck can be a tricky line to draw. Start the line near the bottom of the head oval, draw the curved line parallel to the back of the neck, then finish the line so that it blends smoothly into the body oval. The eye oval is centered vertically toward the front of the head oval.
- The legs are approximately the same length as the head and neck length. The beak is approximately the length of the head oval.
- The head feathers are approximately the length of the head oval or the beak.
- Complete the talons on the front leg before drawing the right leg.
Drawing instruction develops strong reasoning skills. The more a child draws, the better their understanding of scale and proportion.
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