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

Lesson 22: The Triangle (Direction, Action, and Rhythm)

lesson image


Recall that the aim in these rhythmic or two-handed exercises is to give skill, speed, and grace to the two hands working together.

  • Spend 5 minutes a day on these exercises at a blackboard or whiteboard.
  • If you have no large blackboard or whiteboard, tape two pieces of paper to a desk or table, one piece for each hand.
  • Dots denote the starting places for a movement and the "X" the end position for a movement.

Instructors show children the lesson image and note:

  • The geometrical form featured in A is the triangle.
  • Lines marked 1 are called inward curves and those marked 2 outward curves.

Instructors direct children as follows:

  1. Instructors demonstrate using two hands how to produce the simple triangles as shown in figure A.
  2. Children grasp two writing implements (chalk, dry erase marker, pencil), one in each hand.
  3. Instructors show children the triangles in figure B, say "Look," and allow the children to observe the image.
  4. Instructors say, "Draw," and children draw the images using both hands simultaneously.
  5. Instructors say "Erase," and children erase the images if using blackboard/whiteboard or secure two new pieces of paper.

Children complete the following drill work:

  • First Day: Draw A, then B, and then E.
  • Second Day: Draw A, then C, and then F.
  • Third Day: Draw A, then D, and then G.
  • Fourth Day: Draw A, then D, and then G.
  • Fifth Day: Draw A, then C, and then F.