Schematic

The Schematic Stage: Achievement of a Form Concept

AGE: 7-9 YEARS

An increased "visual schema" and a strong narrative drive define the schematic stage (Lowenfeld) of artistic development. This stage is made possible by the creation of more recognizable human figures (addition of neck, to distinguish head from torso, and correctly placed appendages) and complex symbols and the formation of a baseline (and skyline). This tool prevents objects from floating in space; they are grounded by gravity.

Throughout narrative drawing, children gain an understanding of the difference between "me" and "my world." Their drawings begin with a simple diea in mind and develop increasingly as they gain a better awareness of their surrounding and are more able to logically reason through thing. During this period, themes and symbols often become more gender specific.

During Symbol Making (Kerlevage), a complex system develops to help children communicate visually. These changes affect figures, organization, color, composition, and themes. Children develop many graphic tools to help them translate the three-dimensional world onto paper.

Characteristics to look for:

Schema forms through understanding that concepts can be expressed through representation
Drawings become more narrative
Individual personalities create different concepts
Human schema expressed using geometric lines
Proportions of people and inclusion/omission of body parts depends on value child gives to those objects
New symbols are added to visual vocabulary

More attention paid to composition (placement of forms)

Baseline is created to define space
Sun placed in corner of picture
Child realized she is part of environment
Local color begins being used
Child interested in process rather than result

1. Human figures have distinct head and torso

a. Stacking shapes

Tabitha, Shreya, 6 years

For this drawing, Tabitha was asked to draw a portrait of one of her classmates. She started by drawing a circular head containing eyes, a nose, and mouth. She added a series of looping lines to create a torso. She attached thin rectangular legs to the body and added small round feet to the legs.
After Tabitha's teacher prompted her to look at Shreya and notice what else she could add, Tabitha added a neck to connect the head and body, as well as thin arms, hands, and fingers. The result is a fairly proportional figure drawn with realistic colors.

b. Creating contour outlines

Carlos, Señor, 7 years

Carlos created this man from his imagination. The man is made by stacking the outline of a head on top of a contour drawing of a body and legs. Carlos made his drawing more specific by adding a hat, shawl, shoes, and a cane. The man is proportionally accurate, but is missing an arm. (Maybe it is hidden under the shawl?)

2. Improved visual organization

Eliana, 5 years

In this drawing, Eliana has assembled a complex cast of symbols. She uses a baseline of green grass to anchor the animals and plants on the page. The many symbols, including pigs, trees, fruit, and a sun, are drawn with realistic colors.

3. Color based on reality

Nick, 7 years

Nick loves drawing various characters. In this image, he depicts a central figure with long black hair in a bee outfit. A swarm of bees surrounds the figure, ready to attack. The central figure's outstretched arm holds something in his hand (a wand?)

Nick, 7 years

This is another example of Nick's characters. The focus in the drawing is on the figures. The bold colors are symbolic. Spiderman is dressed in his iconographic red suit. He is battling another figure in red whose arms are surrounded by yellow flames. The sparse environment includes two buildings and several tall telephone wires. Nick has also added a speech bubble to show what Spiderman is thinking/saying.

4. Symbols remain relatively unchanged

Mariel, Symbols, 6 years

Mariel made this drawing for her mom. She included various symbols, which remain relatively unchanged from earlier drawings. Triangles, squares, circles, hearts, and flowers are still of interest to the artist. THe flowers are made of more specific petals and are slightly more complex than earlier versions.

5. More attention given to spatial issues

Nick, 6 years

In this complex action scene, Nick drew multiple baselines/levels to indicate various spaces. While a figure crouches behind a "USA" mound, another figure stands on a raised platform on the right side of the page. In this drawing, we can also see inside and outside the building. Inside, two figure are seen at various floors of the tower.

6. Children use graphic principles in order to translate the three-dimensional world onto paper

a. "Fold-out "drawings

Caitlin, My Neighborhood, 8 years

In this drawing of her neighborhood, Cailtin uses a "fold out" technique to solve a complex spatial problem. In doing so, she can include several homes, trees, driveways, and yards on a single page.

b. X-ray drawings (inside and outside of objects shown)

Nick, 8 years

In this historical representation of the pilgrims at Plymouth Rock, Luke drew two figure--one inside the tower and one outside the tower. We can see both the outside environment and the space inside the building.

c. Multiple viewpoint drawings

Jiaju, The World, 6 years

This drawing of the world shows the Earth from space. We can see North America, Europe, parts of Asia, and many smaller islands.
On top of the world, Jiaju drew an outdoor landscape. A house, trees, and a table and chairs can be seen in profile. The continents are relatively proportional, but the objects on top of the globe are too large to exist in reality.

d. Bird's eye view drawings (objects seen from above)

e. Combination drawings (various rules are applied in one drawing)

Personal Themes

Nick, Pilgrims and Native Americans, 6 years

Nick, Pilgrims, 6 years

Nick often draws similar themes over and over. Repeating scenes and stories helps Nick practice his drawing skills and help him build his visual vocabulary. In this series of battle scenes, big boats occupy large areas of the page. The drawings are also populated with people. The scenes are action-packed and include very specific boats and weapons.

Nick, NBA Players, 6 years

These two drawings are from a series of drawings Nick did of famous basketball players. Each player is given specific facial features, hair styles, and jerseys. Each jersey has the team name and player's name on it. In each drawing, the players are grounded on a basketball court and are placed between two hoops. This helps to balance the pictures. Both players are also seen in action--either catching, shooting, or passing a basketball.