www.discoverchimpanzees.org

www.discoverchimpanzees.org

page 1 of 2

How To Do a Field Sketch

Wildlife researchers need to record visual information and photography is not alwaysan option. Field sketches allow researchers to capture behavior and highlightfeatures.

InstructionsYou don't have to be an artist to drawaccurately.

Get an 81/2"x11" sheet of paper and a pencil.Turn the paper sideways and either mark orfold it into four sections.

Print the image you will be copying (page 2of this activity).

Use the lines that quarter the printed imageas a guide for the exact places where yoursketch lines should go on your copy.

As you draw, imagine a loop of string that youcan move and change until the shape insidelooks exactly like what you are copying.

When you think you have copied the shapeaccurately, darken the places where the shapeends. You can see exactly where in thescribble the line should be.

When you are satisfied with your rough sketch,add more detail by referring to the image.

If you scribble out the exact shapes you seeand not the image you think you should see,your field sketches will be accuraterepresentations.

Intentionally blurring the image by lightlysquinting can help you see the main shapesand keep you from being distracted by detailsthat should be sketched in later. With practice,you won't need to draw in guide lines; youwill automatically note dividing points.

Animal ObservationHow to Identify a ChimpanzeeChimpanzee Facial Expressions

Related ActivitiesThe secret of sketching is to scribble shapesinstead of things. Don't try to trace outlines;one small error anywhere will throw off the restof the outline. Scribble lightly, starting fromthe center and pushing out the shape. Don'ttry to get it exactly right. You can alwaysscribble the shape out further where neededand bring it back in where needed.

1 2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9Gradually “bring into focus” the SHAPES that you see byadding detail to the regions suggested above.

page 2 of 2How To Do a Field Sketch

You Can’t Draw?

www.discoverchimpanzees.org

www.discoverchimpanzees.org

page 1 of 2

How To Do a Field Sketch

Wildlife researchers need to record visual information and photography is not alwaysan option. Field sketches allow researchers to captur e behavior and highlightfeatures.

InstructionsYou don't have to be an artist to drawaccurately.

Get an 81/2"x11" sheet of paper and a pencil.Turn the paper sideways and either mark orfold it into four sections.

Print the image you will be copying (page 2of this activity).

Use the lines that quarter the printed imageas a guide for the exact places where yoursketch lines should go on your copy.

As you draw, imagine a loop of string that youcan move and change until the shape insidelooks exactly like what you are copying.

When you think you have copied the shapeaccurately, darken the places where the shapeends. You can see exactly where in thescribble the line should be.

When you are satisfied with your rough sketch,add more detail by referring to the image.

If you scribble out the exact shapes you seeand not the image you think you should see,your field sketches will be accuraterepresentations.

Intentionally blurring the image by lightlysquinting can help you see the main shapesand keep you from being distracted by detailsthat should be sketched in later. With practice,you won't need to draw in guide lines; youwill automatically note dividing points.

Animal ObservationHow to Identify a ChimpanzeeChimpanzee Facial Expressions

Related ActivitiesThe secret of sketching is to scribble shapesinstead of things. Don't try to trace outlines;one small error anywhere will throw off the restof the outline. Scribble lightly, starting fromthe center and pushing out the shape. Don'ttry to get it exact ly right. You can alwaysscribble the shape out further where neededand bring it back in where needed.

Gradually “bring into focus” the SHAPES that you see byadding detail to the regions suggested above.

page 2 of 2How To Do a Field Sketch

You Can’t Draw?