It is said that “a picture is worth a thousand words.” One look at a picture can activate the imagination and encourage a story! In this activity, you will create a drawing of people and things in an environment. But there is a twist! You will work with a partner who will tell you how many of each item to include in your drawing.
INSPIRATION
![](https://noma.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Hunter_Harvesting-Gourds-copy-2-282x300.jpg)
Clementine Hunter (American, 1886–1988), Harvesting Gourds near the African House and Wash Day Near Ghana House, Melrose Plantation, 1959, Oil on board, 73 x 66 ½ inches, New Orleans, Museum of Art, Museum Purchase, C. Heiderich Art Purchase Fund, © Cane River Art Corporation, 2018.8
MATERIALS
- Drawing paper
- Pencils
- Crayons/Colored Pencils (optional)
You will need a partner for this activity.
DIRECTIONS
1. The artist will need paper and pencil.
The partner will have a list* of specific things to be drawn.
*Suggested List:
- ONE house
- TWO clouds
- THREE people
- FOUR trees
- FIVE flowers
2. The partner will say a list of things to the artist to draw while giving a reasonable amount of time for the artist to sketch each of the items.
3. Once the drawing is complete, don’t show your work! Switch roles. Repeat Steps 1 & 2.
4. View the finished sketches. Take turns telling the “story” of each scene. Surprise! Compare how the items appear in space/position.
5. Color your drawings.
STORY SUGGESTIONS
- Adapt the list of things to draw to other things like, animals, vehicles, fruits, vegetables, etc.
- Simplify the number and type of items based on the age of the artist.
- Apply roles of “author” and “illustratrator” to this activity. Write text for the story on the reverse side.
- For younger artists, in an effort to reinforce counting skills, instruct students to place their finger on drawn items to help them identify their images, as they count out loud.
- Roll a die to see how many of each item to draw!