By Elizabeth Hammond
In this post artist Elizabeth Hammond demonstrates how to use your foot as a drawing tool. This allows for freedom of expression and learning to embrace the unexpected while creating unique marks that bring a static object to life! Become a member to watch the full video.

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AccessArt is a UK Charity and we believe everyone has the right to be creative. AccessArt provides inspiration to help us all reach our creative potential.

What We Like About This Resource

“I love this resource because I can picture the energy in the classroom whilst students enjoy the process of mark-making using their feet. Creating drawings with parts of the body other than hands can be really freeing; students will hopefully look at their drawings in a less critical way, with the emphasis of the activity being more about the process than the outcome. It might be a nice addition to use a viewfinder to zoom in on areas where the marks collide in interesting ways” – Tobi, AccessArt.

What We Like About This Resource

“This is a great activity to get students to think about drawing in a different way. Extending reach and accepting a lack of control can lead to really exciting and energised mark-making. It’s great to see that this resource has also been used in SEND settings, demonstrating its accessibility.” – Tobi, AccessArt.

A collection of imagery and sources designed to encourage children to consider how line weight can impact drawings.

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This resource is free to access and is not a part of AccessArt membership.

Line weight refers to the thickness or thinness of a line. The weight of a line can be altered by applying different amounts of pressure to a drawing tool and by changing the drawing media.

Depth, tone, character and atmosphere can be achieved by exploring a variety of weighted lines in drawings.

When we look at the lines in drawings we may get an impression of what the artist was experiencing or what they are trying to communicate through their drawing. For example thinner lines can create a delicate peaceful atmosphere whereas thicker bold drawings can evoke a sense of power and authority.

Find a recording of a zoom session exploring line weight and how we can use it to improve drawing outcomes for teachers & learner.

Leo Gestel

Seagull (ca. 1891–1941) drawing in high resolution by Leo Gestel. Original from The Rijksmuseum. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel.

Portrait of Jean Jaur&egrave’s (ca. 1891-1941) drawing in high resolution by Leo Gestel. Original from The Rijksmuseum. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel.

Taguchi Tomoki

Japanese vintage original woodblock print of birds and butterfly from Yatsuo no tsubaki (1860-1869) by Taguchi Tomoki. Digitally enhanced from our own antique woodblock print.

Paul Signac

La Rochelle (1911) painting in high resolution by Paul Signac. Original from Barnes Foundation. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel.

Jean Bernard

Standing pig in the grass (1805) by Jean Bernard (1775-1883). Original from The Rijksmuseum. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel.

Hermann Esser

Ornamental fonts from Draughtsman’s Alphabets by Hermann Esser (1845-1908). Digitally enhanced from our own 5th edition of the publication.

This Talking Points Is Used In…

using sketchbooks to make visual notes

Show me what you see