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

Lesson 3: Trees, Haycocks, Posts, and Wigwams (Objects, Position, and Perspective)


In this lesson, students review drawing trees, haycocks, posts, and wigwams, as learned in Augsburg's First Year Drawing course.

The instructor demonstrates how to draw a single tree and directs children to copy the tree.

  • Use a soft pencil with a blunt point.
  • Make the lines heavy.
  • Shade the top of the tree first in a solid mass, and do not use an outline.
  • Draw the trunk.
  • Draw a little grass around the trunk, which serves as the rest line.

Next, the instructor demonstrates how to draw a single haystack, as shown in the example drawing, and directs children to copy the haystack.

  • Use a soft pencil with a blunt point.
  • Make the lines heavy.
  • Sketch the top curve of the haystack.
  • Add a little shading at the sides.
  • Draw a little grass around the haystack, which serves as the rest line.

Direct children to practice drawing their own trees and haystacks, until they master them.


Next, the instructor reviews how to draw posts different distances away from the viewer.

  • Use a soft pencil with a blunt point.
  • Make the lines heavy.
  • Sketch the sides and a rounded top of the post.
  • Add a little shading at the bottom and the sides.
  • Draw a little grass around the post, which serves as the rest line.
  • Note that closer posts are drawn larger with thicker strokes and farther posts are drawn smaller with lighter strokes.
  • Also note that the tops of all posts touch the horizon line.
  • Have children practice drawing their own posts, until mastered.

Lastly, the instructor demonstrates how to draw a single wigwam, as shown in the example drawing, and directs children to copy the wigwam.

  • Note that closer wigwams are drawn larger with thicker strokes and farther wigwams are drawn smaller with lighter strokes.
  • Also note that the tops of all wigwams touch the horizon line.

Children complete the following drill work:

  1. Draw a haystack. Place one tree to the right, one tree at the left, one tree farther from the viewer, and one tree nearer the viewer.
  2. Using a horizon line, draw 11 posts various distances away. Add items, such as birds, sitting atop 2 of the posts.
  3. Using a horizon line, draw 6 wigwams various distances away. Draw the near ones with heavy lines and those farther away with lighter lines.