1. Introduction to Scientific Sketching
Inspired by naturalist John Muir Laws
SLIDE 1

2. Warm Up: Disappearing Images
3 photos will be shown, one at a time.
Each photo will show for 5 seconds.
After image fades…Sketch!
Concentrate on form, basic shapes, and surroundings.
30 SECONDS EACH
David Dampier
Do NOT overload your mind with too much information.

6. Scientific sketching is….A B C D E
Accurate
BIG
Colorful
Detailed
Explained
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7. Following are several steps to help you sketch a leaf.
Remember, you’re trying to convey as much information as possible so someone could pick your leaf out of a pile.
SLIDE 4

8. Step 1: Place leaf on paper and make little dots at the edge of each needle. This will give you the overall shape of the leaf
SLIDE 5

9. Step 2: Draw the centerline and connect the points to the center
Step 2: Draw the centerline and connect the points to the center. You don’t have to complete them all to get a sense of the shape.
SLIDE 6

10. SLIDE 7
Step 3: Choose an area where something unusual is happening on your leaf. Blow it up in a zoom bubble to show more detail.

11. Step 4: Add labels to give more detail about color, texture, etc
Step 4: Add labels to give more detail about color, texture, etc. Step 5: Write some “I wonder questions” about your leaf
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12. Step 6: Add color Remember to title and date your sketch.
SLIDE 9

13. Include at least three “I wonder…” questions about your leaf
Use sketching and words to record as much information about your leaf as you can.
Include at least three “I wonder…” questions about your leaf
SLIDE 10

14. Group Activity
2 lab tables join, place all leaves in middle and have one person mix leaves
Each person needs to find their own leaf
What did you notice?
Place leaves back into middle of lab station, leave notebook drawings open.
Students rotate to different tables
Try to find the leaf that matches the drawing

15. Reflection: Leaf Sketch
How did this activity make you feel?
When comparing leaf sketches, what did you notice about each sketch compared to your sketch?
What kind of things would be easy to sketch? Difficult to sketch?
How might we use sketching in this class?