Unleashing The Artist Within: Drawing Ancient Egypt On Papyrus

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Introduction

Unleashing the Artist Within: Drawing Ancient Egypt on Papyrus

Hey there, young artists! Are you ready to journey back in time and explore the captivating world of ancient Egypt? Today, we’re going to learn how to draw like the ancient Egyptians, using a material they themselves used: papyrus!

But first, let’s get a little background on this fascinating civilization.

What do you already know about ancient Egypt? Do you know about the pyramids, the pharaohs, or the hieroglyphics?

Ancient Egypt was a civilization known for its incredible art, architecture, and storytelling. They used papyrus, a type of paper made from reeds, to record their history, beliefs, and even to create beautiful drawings.

Do you know what papyrus is? Have you ever seen it or touched it?

Today, we’ll be using papyrus paper, which is still available today, to create our own ancient Egyptian art. It’s a little bit different from the paper we use in school, but it’s super fun to work with!

What kind of drawing tools do you usually use? Do you have any favorite pencils or crayons?

For our Egyptian adventure, we’ll be using tools that the ancient Egyptians themselves used:

• Charcoal: This is a natural material made from burnt wood. It’s great for creating dark lines and shades.



• Reed pens: These are made from reeds, just like the papyrus paper! They’re dipped in ink to create lines and details.
• Natural pigments: These are colors made from plants, minerals, and other natural materials. The ancient Egyptians used them to create vibrant colors in their paintings.

What colors do you think the ancient Egyptians used in their art? Do you think they used bright colors or more muted colors?

Now, let’s start our journey into Egyptian drawing!

1. Mastering the Line:

Ancient Egyptian art is all about strong, clear lines. They used these lines to create figures, animals, and symbols.

Have you ever tried drawing a straight line? Do you have any tips for drawing straight lines?

To practice our lines, let’s try drawing a few simple shapes:

• Circles: Start by drawing a small circle in the center of your papyrus paper. Then, draw a larger circle around it. Try to make your circles smooth and even.
• Squares: Draw a square by drawing four straight lines that meet at right angles.
• Triangles: Draw a triangle by drawing three straight lines that connect to form a three-sided shape.

2. Bringing Figures to Life:

The ancient Egyptians were masters at drawing human figures. Their figures were often depicted in a specific style called hieratic scale. This means that the most important figures in the scene were drawn larger than the less important figures.

Have you ever seen a drawing of ancient Egyptian people? What do you notice about their figures?

To learn this style, let’s try drawing a simple figure:

• Head: Draw a circle for the head.
• Body: Draw a rectangle for the body.
• Arms: Draw two lines coming out from the sides of the rectangle for the arms.
• Legs: Draw two lines coming out from the bottom of the rectangle for the legs.

3. The Magic of Hieroglyphs:

Hieroglyphs are the writing system of the ancient Egyptians. They are made up of pictures that represent words or sounds.

Have you ever seen hieroglyphs before? Do you know what they mean?

We can use hieroglyphs to add extra meaning and beauty to our drawings. Here are some common hieroglyphs:

• Ankh: This symbol represents life.
• Eye of Horus: This symbol represents protection and power.
• Scarab beetle: This symbol represents rebirth and transformation.

4. Adding Color and Detail:

The ancient Egyptians used a wide range of colors in their art. They used natural pigments to create beautiful and vibrant colors.

What are your favorite colors? Do you think they would be good for drawing ancient Egyptian art?

We can use our charcoal, reed pen, and natural pigments to add color and detail to our drawings.

• Charcoal: Use charcoal to create dark lines and shadows.
• Reed pen: Use the reed pen to add details and outlines.
• Natural pigments: Use natural pigments to add color to your drawing.

5. Telling Stories Through Art:

Ancient Egyptian art was often used to tell stories. They used drawings to depict scenes from their daily life, their beliefs, and their history.

What kind of stories would you like to tell with your drawings? Do you have any ideas for scenes you could draw?

Here are some ideas for stories you could tell:

• A scene from daily life in ancient Egypt: You could draw people working in the fields, building a pyramid, or sailing down the Nile River.
• A story from Egyptian mythology: You could draw gods and goddesses, mythical creatures, or scenes from famous Egyptian myths.
• A personal story: You could draw a story about your own life or your imagination.

Benefits of Drawing Ancient Egyptian Art:

Drawing ancient Egyptian art is not only fun, but it also has many benefits:

• Improves creativity: Drawing helps you to think outside the box and come up with new ideas.
• Enhances fine motor skills: Drawing requires you to use your hands and fingers in a precise way, which helps to improve your fine motor skills.
• Boosts concentration: Drawing requires focus and attention to detail.
• Connects you to history: Drawing ancient Egyptian art helps you to learn about this fascinating civilization and its culture.
• Expands your imagination: Drawing ancient Egyptian art encourages you to think about different worlds and possibilities.

FAQs:

1. What if I’m not good at drawing? That’s okay! Everyone starts somewhere. The most important thing is to have fun and keep practicing. Remember, the ancient Egyptians were masters at drawing because they practiced a lot!
2. Where can I find papyrus paper? You can find papyrus paper online or at some art supply stores.
3. What kind of natural pigments can I use? You can find natural pigments made from plants, minerals, and other natural materials at some art supply stores. You can also try making your own pigments from natural materials like berries, flowers, and dirt.
4. Can I use other drawing tools besides charcoal, reed pens, and natural pigments? Of course! You can use any drawing tools you like. Just remember to try to capture the style of ancient Egyptian art.
5. How can I learn more about ancient Egypt? There are many books, websites, and museums that can teach you about ancient Egypt. You can also watch documentaries and movies about this fascinating civilization.

Now, go forth and create your own ancient Egyptian masterpieces! Remember, there are no wrong answers in art, just opportunities to explore and learn. Have fun!

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