Object selection plays an important role in the process of observational drawing. Select a drawing model based on the artistic skill level and age of your students. For younger students, use items with familiar shapes, such as an arrangement of blocks. For older students, use objects with less-defined shape, such as flowers or your student's own reflection. You can increase the challenge by using a series of objects, such as an arrangement of blocks with a toy or different kinds of flowers in a vase.
As a teacher or facilitator, your role is to teach your students how to perceive the items they are drawing. Phrase your responses in questions, such as "How many blocks do you see?" or "Are all the blocks facing the same direction?" Instruct your students to answer in their drawings, but not verbally, as a verbal answer could influence the perception of other students in your room. You can also use your questions to provide clues about the elements your students are perceiving.
Children learn to accept their world in three dimensions from an early age, but they rarely receive instruction on how to understand their three-dimensional world. Observational drawing focuses on a three-dimensional view of your objects. You can teach your students techniques that will help them draw in three dimensions, such as shading and scope. Alternately, you can let them interpret their three-dimensional perceptions first and then teach them the drawing techniques later. Your focus should be on helping them realize how to understand three dimensions and how each dimension changes their perceptions.
Observational drawing is most effective if you use it regularly with your students. Over time, they will begin to understand how to draw objects with multiple dimensions and begin to develop their perceptual skills that help them identify the specifics in the objects you are asking them to draw. The process of observational drawing is a perceptual training exercise, which means your students' results will change with their interpretation of the exercise and their connection to the objects you choose. Keep a positive mood in your class regarding the project, and encourage your students to enjoy the process to inspire continual progress.