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

Lesson 30: Tones and Scale (Color Drawing)

lesson image


For the remaining lessons provide children with "the standard colors," which are red, yellow, blue (primary colors), orange, green, violet (secondary colors), brown, and black.

Review the concept of a "wash" as follows:

  • Recall that a "wash" is a color spread evenly over a surface. Often associated with watercolors, "wash" also applies to colored crayons.
  • The wash is the most important mechanical element in crayon drawing.

Review how to produce an even, scratch-free wash using crayons:

  • Grasp the crayon with the thumb and three fingers as shown in the image.
  • Rub the side of the crayon against the paper to produce an even color across the page.
  • Try to make the wash a smooth as possible, free from scratches and irregularities

Children complete the following drill work - washes:

  1. Apply a wash of red to a piece of paper, covering all the white space.
  2. Apply a wash of blue to a piece of paper, covering all the white space.
  3. Apply a wash of yellow to a piece of paper, covering all the white space.

Instructors show children images A and B.
Instructors tell children:

  • A tone is any kind of variation in color or in shade.
  • A and B each represent three tones of blue.
  • A and B represent a scale of three tones of blue.

Instructors show children the image.
Instructors review how to draw a margin:

  • Instructors demonstrate how to place a margin around the tablet as shown in the illustration, about half or three quarters of an inch from the outer edge.
  • Use the second or long finger as a guide, as shown in the illustration.
  • Children practice drawing these margin lines until they can draw them without much effort.
  • Note: Many of the children will learn how to do this by seeing the teacher draw the margin, but others will have to be shown how by placing their hand and fingers in position.

Children complete the following drill work - scales:

  1. Make a scale of the primary colors, red, yellow and blue.
  2. Make a scale of the secondary colors, orange, green and violet.
  3. Make a scale of three tones of black.
  4. Make a scale of three tones of blue.
  5. Make a scale of three tones of violet.

Tips: Place a margin around your scales. Divide the center space into three equal parts and color them as indicated.