Designed for students aged 14–18 (UK Key Stages 4–5 / Years 10–13), but adaptable for other ages.
Learning objectives
Use an online art collection to gather imagery for your art practise.
Consider how unrelated imagery can form a narrative.
Learning outcomes
Five sketchbook drawings
You will need
Internet Access
Sketchbook
Pencils
Thomas HarrisonThe Martyrdom of St Sebastian Study
Caitlin StoneStatue
Introduction
Many artists visit galleries and museums to inspire themselves and ignite their imagination. With the internet you can see the entire collections of hundreds of institutions at the click of a button. This resource will introduce you to the Royal Drawing School's online collection and encourage you to find inspiration there.
If throughout this lesson you cannot find what you are looking for on the Royal Drawing Schools collection you may wish to search on The National Gallery, British Museum or V&A websites.
Exercise 1
Think about the things you like to draw or find inspirational. Write down a list of five things. On the Royal Drawing School's collection page search each word in the search bar.
Take time to scroll the page and not just draw the first image you see. Are there pieces that seem unfamiliar? Once you have found apiece that looks interesting draw it filling a whole page on your sketchbook.
Exercise 2
Keep drawing a single object or artwork for each word you search. As you repeat the process try to look for more unusual imagery. Surprise yourself with something unexpected.
Exercise 3
Now you have five complete drawings in your sketchbook look at them in order thinking about if there is a narrative, word or visual style that connects them all. The answer may not be immediately obvious but could be something to explore further as you develop your art practise.
