Basic 8 · Creative Arts and Design · Drawing
Freehand and Outline Drawing, Weaving and Dance-Drama on Social Issues
In this topic you will practise freehand and outline drawing with manual tools, explore weaving as a medium for visual artworks, and create a dance-drama on a socio-cultural issue.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Use freehand and outline drawing techniques to create designs
- Describe weaving techniques and make a simple woven piece
- Create a short dance-drama on a socio-cultural issue
What you already know
- Drawing tools and rhythm in dance and drama
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Design
- Sub-strand
- Drawing
- Indicator
- B8.1.2.1.1 – Explore available manual and digital tools materials and techniques for drawing shading and coloring to create designs from lines simple shapes and forms
Introduction
Some drawings are made with rulers and compasses, while others flow freely from the hand. Both freehand and outline drawing are important skills for designers.
1. Freehand Drawing
Freehand drawing: Drawing without the help of instruments such as rulers or compasses.
Freehand drawing is quick and expressive. It is used for sketches, plans, illustrations and organic shapes such as leaves, people and animals. Good freehand drawing comes from a relaxed hand, light first lines and plenty of practice.
2. Outline Drawing
Outline drawing: A drawing that shows only the edges or contours of objects, without shading.
Outline drawings are used for colouring books, stencils, logos, signboards and embroidery patterns. A strong, clean outline helps viewers recognise shapes quickly. Lines can vary in thickness to show importance or depth.
3. Exercises for Freehand Control
- Draw straight lines across a page without a ruler.
- Draw circles and ovals of different sizes.
- Draw wavy and zigzag lines in rows.
- Draw simple objects, such as a cup or a mango, in one continuous line.
- Draw the same object quickly three times, improving each time.
4. Instrument Drawing Compared
Instrument (technical) drawing uses rulers, set squares and compasses for accurate geometric shapes, as in house plans and engineering drawings. Freehand drawing is faster and more expressive. Designers often begin with freehand sketches and later produce accurate instrument drawings for making the product.
New words
- freehand drawing
- Drawing without instruments.
- outline drawing
- Drawing that shows only edges.
- contour
- The outline of a shape.
- instrument drawing
- Drawing made with rulers and compasses.
Summary
- Freehand drawing is done without instruments and is quick and expressive.
- Outline drawing shows only contours and is used for logos, stencils and colouring.
- Regular exercises build freehand control, and instrument drawing is used for accuracy.
Class activity: Line Control Exercises
- Complete a page of freehand line exercises.
- Draw a familiar object in freehand and then as a clean outline.
- Compare the two drawings.
You need: Pencils, Drawing paper, Printed photographs of Ghanaian stools, Baskets
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Drawing without rulers or compasses is…
- A. freehand drawing
- B. instrument drawing
- C. tracing
- D. printing
Show answer
Answer: freehand drawingNo instruments.2. An outline drawing shows…
- A. only edges
- B. full shading
- C. only colours
- D. only textures
Show answer
Answer: only edgesContours.3. Freehand drawing is useful for quick sketches.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueSpeed.4. The outline of a shape is its ______.
Show answer
Answer: contourEdge.5. State two uses each of freehand and outline drawing.
Show answer
Answer: Freehand: sketches, illustrations; outline: logos, stencils.Any correct.6. Why do designers start with freehand sketches before instrument drawings?
Show answer
Answer: Freehand sketches let them explore ideas quickly before making accurate drawings for production.Process.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Visual Arts
- Sub-strand
- Media and Techniques
- Indicator
- B8.2.1.1.1 – Explore media and techniques in drawing from direct observation/ memory and imagination print making and weaving to express own views in visual artworks to encourage recording and research skills
Introduction
Kente from Bonwire, baskets from Bolgatanga and mats from raffia are all woven. Weaving is one of Ghana's most important art forms.
1. What Is Weaving?
Weaving: Making fabric or objects by interlacing two sets of threads or strips at right angles.
The threads running lengthwise are the warp, and those passed across them are the weft. Weaving can be done on a loom for cloth or by hand for baskets and mats.
2. Weaving Materials
| Material | Products |
|---|---|
| cotton and silk threads | kente, fugu (smock) cloth |
| straw (elephant grass) | Bolgatanga baskets, hats, fans |
| raffia | mats, bags, skirts |
| bamboo and cane | furniture, baskets |
| paper strips | practice weaving in class |
3. Basic Weaving Techniques
| Technique | Description |
|---|---|
| plain (tabby) weave | weft goes over one warp, under the next |
| basket weave | weft goes over two, under two |
| twill weave | a diagonal pattern made by shifting the over-under order |
| coiling | building baskets by coiling and stitching bundles |
| plaiting | interlacing strips diagonally, as in mats |
4. Making a Paper Weaving
- Fold a sheet of paper in half and cut slits from the fold, leaving a border.
- Open it out; this is the warp.
- Cut strips of a different colour; these are the weft.
- Weave each strip over and under the warp slits.
- Alternate the starting point for each row.
- Glue the ends and display your weaving.
5. Kente and Smock Weaving
Kente is woven on narrow horizontal looms by men in places such as Bonwire and Agotime-Kpetoe, producing strips that are sewn together. In the north, cotton strips are woven on similar looms and sewn into the smock (fugu or batakari), which is worn on special occasions. These woven garments show the skill of Ghanaian weavers and carry cultural meaning through their colours and patterns.
New words
- warp
- Lengthwise threads in weaving.
- weft
- Crosswise threads in weaving.
- loom
- A frame or machine for weaving.
- plain weave
- A simple over-one, under-one weave.
Summary
- Weaving interlaces warp and weft at right angles.
- Materials include cotton, straw, raffia, bamboo and paper.
- Techniques include plain, basket and twill weaves, coiling and plaiting.
Class activity: Paper Weaving
- Make a paper weaving using two contrasting colours.
- Try plain weave and then basket weave.
- Compare the patterns produced.
You need: Local calabash still-life object, Drawing paper, Charcoal pencils
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Lengthwise threads in weaving are the…
- A. warp
- B. weft
- C. loom
- D. shuttle
Show answer
Answer: warpLengthwise.2. Bolgatanga baskets are mainly made from…
- A. straw
- B. cotton
- C. silk
- D. wool
Show answer
Answer: strawElephant grass.3. Plain weave goes over one and under one.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueSimplest weave.4. A frame or machine used for weaving is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: loomWeaving device.5. Name three weaving materials and a product from each.
Show answer
Answer: Cotton: kente; straw: baskets; raffia: mats.Any three.6. Explain the difference between plain weave and twill weave.
Show answer
Answer: Plain weave goes over one and under one; twill shifts the order to form diagonal lines.Pattern.
Lesson 3
- Strand
- Performing Arts (Dance/Drama)
- Sub-strand
- Media and Techniques
- Indicator
- B9.2.2.3.7 – Perform an original dance drama and/or one act play on socio-cultural issues
Introduction
Performances can make people laugh, cry and think. A dance-drama about a real community problem can educate an audience more powerfully than a speech.
1. Identifying Socio-Cultural Issues
| Issue | Possible message |
|---|---|
| teenage pregnancy | stay in school and make responsible choices |
| drug abuse | drugs destroy dreams |
| galamsey | protect our rivers and land |
| child labour | children belong in school |
| sanitation | keep our community clean |
| chieftaincy disputes | peace builds communities |
2. Planning the Dance-Drama
- Choose one issue and discuss its causes and effects.
- Decide the message you want the audience to learn.
- Create characters and a simple plot with a beginning, problem and solution.
- Plan dance movements, songs and drumming for key scenes.
- Assign roles, rehearse and refine the performance.
3. Combining Dance, Music and Drama
In a dance-drama, movement can show emotions without words: a slow, heavy dance can show the suffering of a drug addict, while a fast, joyful dance shows recovery and hope. Songs in call-and-response style can repeat the message. Short spoken lines explain the story.
4. Rehearsal and Performance
Rehearse each scene, paying attention to rhythm, dynamics and voice projection. Use simple costumes and props. After the performance, invite the audience to discuss the issue. This turns the performance into a learning experience for the whole community.
5. Audience Response
After the performance, ask the audience questions such as "What problem did you see?", "How did the characters feel?" and "What can we do about this issue in our community?". Their answers show whether the message was understood. Use their feedback to improve your next performance. This dialogue is part of how drama helps communities think and change.
New words
- socio-cultural issue
- A problem related to society and culture.
- dance-drama
- A performance that tells a story through dance, music and drama.
- plot
- The order of events in a story.
- prop
- An object used by actors on stage.
Summary
- Dance-dramas can address issues such as drug abuse, galamsey and teenage pregnancy.
- Planning involves choosing an issue and message, creating characters and plot, and adding dance and music.
- Movement, songs and short dialogue combine to educate the audience.
Class activity: Issue Dance-Drama
- Choose a socio-cultural issue in your community.
- Plan and rehearse a five-minute dance-drama.
- Perform it and lead a short discussion with the audience.
You need: Atumpan drum, Calabash rattle, Printed photographs of Ghanaian dance poses
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. A performance combining dance, music and drama is a…
- A. dance-drama
- B. lecture
- C. essay
- D. poster
Show answer
Answer: dance-dramaCombined arts.2. Which message suits a dance-drama on galamsey?
- A. protect our rivers and land
- B. buy more gold
- C. skip school
- D. ignore chiefs
Show answer
Answer: protect our rivers and landEnvironment.3. Movement can show emotions without words.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueBody language.4. An object used by actors on stage is a ______.
Show answer
Answer: propStage object.5. List four steps in planning a dance-drama.
Show answer
Answer: Choose an issue, decide the message, create characters and plot, plan dance and music (or rehearse).Any four.6. Why can a dance-drama educate better than a speech?
Show answer
Answer: It engages emotions and senses through story, movement and music, making the message memorable.Engagement.
Homework
- Write a short script for one scene of your dance-drama.