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MATERIALS YOU WILL NEED

Computer, smartphone, or headset

Internet

Paper

Pencil and Pen

Paper Towel

DURATION

1 hour activity

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Write Field Notes
Ask Questions
Find Evidence

MORE INFORMATION

thevirtualfield.org

Blurry video? See viewing tips posted next to each video link on The Virtual Field website.

Most people think they “can’t draw.” RELAX! This should be fun. This is not about the quality of the drawing. Drawing helps us hone our observational skills by making us pay attention to what we are seeing. Just make an effort to follow the directions and all will be well.

First, watch this 12-min video about basic drawing and labeling techniques: Virtual Field Drawing Tips
Gather your drawing materials and in the space below, warm up with a “Blind Contour” exercise (5 minutes)

Take a field trip around the world to field stations and marine laboratories, places where researchers study natural processes and how humans interact with the landscape. At each site, four 5-minute 360-degree videos are filmed during fall, winter, spring and summer. As you view these videos, hone your powers of observation by drawing what you see.

You see, but you do not observe…. The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes. - Sherlock Holmes

This exercise is not about getting the right answer. It’s about learning to go beyond seeing and to begin observing. So take a second to relax, filter out the noise from your surroundings, and imagine yourself as a detective in this ecosystem. We recommend you set aside an hour to complete the exercise.

DRAWING MATERIALS & WARM UP

The Virtual Field - 360 Seasonal Video Series

SKETCH WHAT YOU SEE

Explorer Guide

thevirtualfield.org is a project of the Organization of Biological Field Stations

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On the second page provided, make a few more sketches of things similar to your original subject. For example, if you drew trees, draw 2 or 3 different kinds of trees. If you drew a water’s edge, find other places on the water’s edge to draw. Compare your first drawing with your new sketches, and add labels that distinguish the differences between the objects you drew.

The Virtual Field - 360 Seasonal Video Series

SKETCH WHAT YOU SEE

Explorer Guide

thevirtualfield.org is a project of the Organization of Biological Field Stations

DRAWING COMPARISON

Choose an 360-Degree Seasonal video (thevirtualfield.org/360-degree-seasonal-videos) and write down the title here:

Video Title:

CHOOSE A VIDEO

Watch the video. Be sure to look up, down, behind you and side to side. Pause when you see something you’d like to draw. You might zoom in to make the picture bigger.
Using the attached “First Drawing” area, draw an object that interests you.
See if you can fill up most of the space with your drawing.
Try not to draw what a “leaf” or a “tree” is “supposed to look like,” but rather try to see lines, shapes and areas of light and dark.
Look for geometric shapes, observe how the shapes in your picture vary
If there are many shapes in repeating patterns, draw a few detailed ones in the foreground and abbreviated/simpler versions in the background.
Add tone, making the drawing look 3D, either with
Graphite pencil, using blender and kneaded eraser, or
Ink pen, using hatching, cross-hatching, scribbling, or stippling
Add labels that describe key details, such as textures, colors, sizes or parts, you thought were interesting or you feel need clarification.

MAKE A FIRST DRAWING

Share your drawings with a friend, and then have them watch the same video you did. Can they find the objects you drew? Ask them what you communicated accurately, and what you missed.

What did they say?

COMMUNICATE

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The Virtual Field - 360 Seasonal Video Series

SKETCH WHAT YOU SEE

Explorer Guide

thevirtualfield.org is a project of the Organization of Biological Field Stations

STUDENTS, PLEASE TAKE THIS 2-MINUTE SURVEY TO GIVE FEEDBACK

SEASONAL COMPARISONS

Choose a 360 Video taken at the same site as the first video you chose, but at different time of year.

Title of the Video:

Watch the video. Be sure to look up, down, behind you and side to side. Find the things you drew in the first video. The compass at the bottom of the screen can help you locate the object in both videos.

Choose one of the objects that looks different in the first and second videos. Using the attached “Seasonal Comparison” area, draw the same object during a different season. Compare your sketch of the object during the first and second videos and add labels to identify the differences you notice.

How did sketching exercise affect your ability to observe?

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The Virtual Field - 360 Seasonal Video Series

SKETCH WHAT YOU SEE

Explorer Guide

thevirtualfield.org is a project of the Organization of Biological Field Stations

First Drawing

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The Virtual Field - 360 Seasonal Video Series

SKETCH WHAT YOU SEE

Explorer Guide

thevirtualfield.org is a project of the Organization of Biological Field Stations

Comparisons of Objects

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The Virtual Field - 360 Seasonal Video Series

SKETCH WHAT YOU SEE

Explorer Guide

thevirtualfield.org is a project of the Organization of Biological Field Stations

Comparisons Across Seasons