← Visual Arts syllabus

SingaporeVisual Arts

Drawing and Observational Studies

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do different drawing materials and marks change the look and feel of a drawing?

Explore a range of drawing media, such as pencil, charcoal, ink and coloured pencil, and use varied mark-making to suit different subjects and effects
A step-by-step answer to the N(A)-Level Art outcome on drawing media and mark-making. The qualities of pencil, charcoal, ink and coloured pencil, how to vary marks for different surfaces, and choosing the medium to suit the subject and effect.
8 min answer →

What is observational drawing, and how do you train yourself to draw what you actually see?

Make observational drawings from direct looking, using measuring, light construction lines and close attention to proportion and edges to record what is really there
A step-by-step answer to the N(A)-Level Art outcome on observational drawing. Drawing what you see rather than what you assume, simple measuring and construction lines, attention to proportion and edges, and how to build accuracy through regular practice.
8 min answer →

How does simple perspective make a drawing of a box or a street look like it goes back into space?

Use simple one-point and two-point perspective and basic proportion, including the horizon line, vanishing points and converging lines, to draw objects and scenes with believable depth
A step-by-step answer to the N(A)-Level Art outcome on perspective and proportion. The horizon line and vanishing point, one-point and two-point perspective, why parallel lines seem to converge, and keeping proportions right as things recede.
9 min answer →

How does shading with tone make a drawing look solid and three-dimensional?

Use tone and shading techniques, including a tonal range from light to dark, highlights, core shadow and cast shadow, to make drawn objects look solid and lit
A step-by-step answer to the N(A)-Level Art outcome on tone and shading. Building a tonal range from light to dark, finding the light source, highlight, core shadow and cast shadow, and shading techniques like hatching and blending.
9 min answer →