Today we're starting our lesson on Drawing and Painting, part of our Grade 7 Performing strand. By the end of this session you will be able to identify the main drawing tools, create a variety of lines, shapes, and values, and explore basic painting techniques and styles. Take a look at these points—notice how we're linking each skill to something familiar, like the bold bead patterns of the Maasai or the vibrant murals along the Kenyan coast. Can anyone think of a local artwork that uses strong lines or bright colors? Feel free to share your ideas as we move forward.
First, let's look at the pencils—HB for light lines, 2B for darker shading, and 4B for deep shadows—along with erasers, sharpeners, and charcoal sticks. These are the basics for sketching any subject, from a bustling Nairobi market to a savannah landscape. Remember to keep your tools clean; wipe off charcoal dust regularly so your sketches stay crisp, and store pencils in a sturdy case to protect them during school trips. About paper—choose sketch pads for practice, newsprint for quick studies, and even recycled paper from local schools to support sustainability. Safety tip: always sharpen with a cutter, not a knife, and never point a sharpener at anyone. Any questions before we start drawing?
Next, let's explore how lines, shapes, and value work together to build an image. First, line types: contour lines define the edges of a form, gesture lines capture movement, hatching adds texture, and cross‑hatching creates deeper shadows. At the basic geometric shapes—circle, square, and triangle—these are the building blocks of many Kenyan pattern designs, like the colorful shukas and beadwork. This bar chart shows how often Kenyan primary artists use each line technique; notice hatching appears most frequently, which helps them suggest texture in fabric patterns. Finally, the value scale—from light (1) to dark (5)—lets us control pencil pressure. Practice moving from a light touch to a firm press to create depth in your drawings. Remember, mastering lines, shapes, and value gives you the tools to turn simple sketches into rich, lively images, just like the vibrant artworks you see in Kenya.
Class, let's begin our look at painting techniques. Today we'll explore the main mediums you can use and some fun Kenyan examples. First, watercolour washes let you build soft layers of colour, perfect for capturing the misty mornings over the Rift Valley. Next, acrylic brushwork dries quickly and gives vivid, bold strokes—ideal for recreating the bright street murals you see in Nairobi. Finger‑painting is another fun way to experiment with texture; you can use your hands to swirl colours just like you might mix sand and pigments on a market stall. Let's talk about mixing primary colours. By blending red, blue, and yellow you can create local hues such as ochre and burnt sienna, which are common in traditional Maasai paintings. Finally, caring for your brushes is essential: rinse them thoroughly after each use, reshape the bristles, and store them flat so they stay in good shape for your next masterpiece. Try each one in your sketchbooks and think about how you might show a Kenyan landscape or city scene using these tools.
Everyone, let's take a moment to reflect on what we've learned and think about our next steps. First, remember the key ideas we covered: line, shape, value, and the three painting techniques we practiced today. Take a look at this simple shape illustration—it shows how line and shape combine to create a base for any artwork. For homework, I'd like each of you to create a small piece of artwork using one of the techniques we explored. It can be as simple as a charcoal sketch or a bright watercolor wash. I've added links to Kenyan art resources and virtual tours of local museums in the class folder—explore them for inspiration.
