Exploring Contrast in Art Through Black & White Drawing

Grade Level: 9–12
Class Length: 60 minutes
Objective:
Students will understand the concept of contrast in visual art and create a black-and-white composition using only pencil and ink that demonstrates strong contrast in values and shapes.

Materials:

  • Sketchbooks or drawing paper

  • Pencils

  • Black fine-tip pens and/or ink brushes

  • Erasers

  • Rulers (optional)

Lesson Breakdown:

1. Warm-Up / Bell Ringer (5 min):
Prompt: "What are some examples of contrast you see in everyday life (light vs dark, soft vs rough, etc.)?"
Students jot down 2–3 ideas in their sketchbooks.

2. Mini Lecture & Visual Examples (10 min):

  • Show famous black-and-white works (e.g., Escher, Kara Walker, or manga/comics).

  • Define contrast (in value, shape, texture, size).

  • Discuss how contrast can create drama, focus, or emotion in a piece.

3. Guided Practice (10 min):

  • Have students quickly sketch 2 thumbnails in pencil experimenting with high contrast compositions (ex: a silhouette, an abstract arrangement, or a split-light portrait).

4. Studio Work (30 min):

  • Students choose one thumbnail to develop into a full drawing using pencil and ink.

  • Encourage variety in texture and bold value contrasts.

5. Clean Up & Gallery Walk (5 min):

  • Students clean up their areas and do a brief walk-around to see peers’ progress.

  • Volunteers can share one challenge they faced and one decision they’re proud of.

Differentiation:

  • Advanced learners: Challenge them to use cross-hatching or stippling to create contrast.

  • Emerging learners: Provide templates or stencils for initial shapes to build confidence.