Grid & Orthographic workshop reports

Hi,
sorry that I am so late in reporting on these two workshops.
The Grid session took place on Wed. Oct 12 and the learners were introduced to the very simple and basic use of a rigid grid as an aid to graphic(2D) reproduction. The objective was to acquire very basic skills which in the digital age may not be as common as they were when we our selves might have used carbon paper and tracing paper etc..
 I distributed A4 b&w photographic images which the learners then had to impose a grid upon and use this as a guide to replicate through the medium of graphic pencil. The orientation of the image was displaced so that the reading of the image became purely visual. Line was used to frame shape and a self made grayscale was used to identify tone. The limitation of any given media were apparent.
 We also discussed the historical use of the device, its use in observational drawing, how the rigid grid could be expanded (literally, as a tool for enlargement) and distorted (skewed). Fragmentation and collage were also identified as possible outcomes from the task.
The workshop was repeated in the afternoon with a second group.
The Orthographic Drawing workshop took place on Wed. Oct. 19.
The basic exercise showed how to visually record an existing object using a system of drawing that uses actual measurement. The purpose and context of technical drawing in general and its specific use in Fine Art & Design practise was discussed. The learners then went on to render an object of basic volumetric forms (cubic, cylindrical) on a scale of 1:1. The ability to record larger existing volumes and forms (e.g. architecture) by the use of proportional scale drawing was identified. This logically led to the ability to create a drawing of forms/objects/buildings that do not yet exist in real space (proposals) but which can be imagined/ understood/costed by others (commissioning clients, builders, manufacturers) through the use of an agreed, measured, coded system of drawing.
This basic workshop was well received by those who did not have previous technical drawing experience.
  I intend to run these workshops again for those who were life-drawing or absent.