Second Year Drawing by D. R. Augsburg Second Year Drawing by D. R. Augsburg    

Lesson 4: Balls in Perspective (Objects, Position, and Perspective)

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In this lesson, students review how to draw balls in perspective using a horizon line, as learned in Augsburg's First Year Drawing course.

Instructors complete the following tasks:

  1. Demonstrate to children drawing a light horizontal line that stretches across the paper as shown in the lesson drawing, reminding children this line represents eye level (E L) an is called the horizon line.
  2. Draw one large ball and one small ball, with the tops of the balls against the horizon line.
  3. Draw rest lines under each ball.
  4. Direct children to copy their drawing.
  5. Ask children to answer the following:
    • Does the small balls look closer or farther away from the viewer?
    • Does the larger ball look closer or farther away from the viewer?


Children complete the following drill work:

  1. Using a horizon line, draw one ball near and another far away.
  2. Using a horizon line, draw one ball near, another far away, and yet another even farther away.
  3. Using a horizon line, draw four balls various distances away.
  4. Using a horizon line, draw five balls various distances away.
  5. Using a horizon line, draw six balls various distances away.
  6. Using a horizon line, draw seven balls various distances away, with at least 2 of the balls overlapping as shown in the drawing.
  7. Using a horizon line, draw nine balls various distances away, with at least 3 of the balls overlapping as shown in the drawing.
  8. Using a horizon line, draw ten balls various distances away, with at least 4 of the balls overlapping as shown in the drawing.

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