An important part of art is learning how to draw accurately. It is also a frustrating and challenging process - to give an object a three dimensional appearance is not easy! The simplest way to start children along this path is to place geometric shapes under lamps in a darkened room and get drawing. With the shapes or shapes in place, demonstrate how you would go about drawing what is in front of you. I start by looking at scale - we don't want to draw it too small. Then angles - Talk about perspective and if our shape have parallel lines to help with accuracy. It often takes a long time to get the outline of the shapes drawn accurately - lots of rubbing out and re-drawing. Once this is done, move on to adding shade and tone. Where is the core shadow, cast shadow, highlights and mid-tones? With a selection of graphite pencils the children are able to produce some brilliant observational drawings.