For this activity, you will be using a piece of clay to mold an organic, abstract shape, and trying to replicate the lights and darks found on its surface.

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You can also design a monster. That will take more time, but it will be very satisfying. Then, you can use it as source material for your amazing charcoal or pencil drawing!

 

Mrs. Jurgensen! Isn't that cheating???

 

Why, NO, child! As an artist, you can use all the tools you have at your disposal in order to achieve your goals. If you create an amazing monster without proper source material, then it probably won't look very realistic.

 

Realistic, in this case, means "it COULD be real" -- not that it is! No one needs to see five-headed dragons that breathe fire, running down mainstreet, kaythankyouverymuch.

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Let's learn more about using this technique by watching the video below, by author and illustrator James Gurney. He created the book series "Dinotopia" and is known worldwide for his amazing dinosaur illustrations!