DRAWING — Drawing instruments and equipment

Subject: Pre-technical | Subtopic: Drawing instruments and equipment (Age: 12, Kenya)

These notes explain common drawing tools you will meet in class. Each tool has a name, what it does, how to use it safely, and how to look after it. Where useful, try the simple activities at the end.

Common drawing instruments and what they do

• Pencils (grades: 2H, H, HB, B, 2B) — used for light or dark lines. 2H is hard (light) and 2B is soft (dark). Use HB for general work.
• Ruler / Scale — for straight lines and measuring. A metric scale (cm, mm) is common in Kenyan schools.
• T‑square — helps draw horizontal lines on a drawing board. It keeps lines parallel and square to the paper.
• Set squares (45° and 60°) — used with a T‑square to draw vertical or angled straight lines.
• Compass — draws circles and arcs. Holds a pencil on one leg and a sharp point on the other as a centre.
• Protractor — measures and draws angles in degrees (0–180°).
• Divider — copies distances and transfers measurements from one place to another.
• Eraser and erasing shield — eraser removes pencil marks; shield protects nearby lines when erasing small parts.
• Sharpener / Knife — keeps pencil points sharp. Use a sharpener for safety; teachers may show how to use a knife properly.
• Tracing paper / Cartridge paper — tracing paper is thin and translucent for copying; cartridge paper is thicker for final drawing.
• Drafting tape / Masking tape — holds paper on the drawing board without tearing it.
• French curve — for drawing smooth curves that are not circles (useful for car shapes or curved parts).

How to use each tool (simple steps)

1. Pencil: Hold lightly for light lines; press more for dark lines. Use an HB for general drawing.
2. Ruler: Place the ruler on the paper, hold it firmly with your left hand, and draw along the edge with the pencil.
3. Compass: Set the distance on the scale (measure with a ruler), place the needle on the centre point, and rotate the compass carefully.
4. Protractor: Place the midpoint mark on the vertex, align the baseline, and mark the angle degree then join to the vertex.
5. Set square + T‑square: Use the T‑square on the board edge and the set square against it to draw vertical or angled lines.

Care, safety and storage

• Always point the compass needle away from people. Store the compass with the point closed or covered.
• Keep rulers, set squares and protractors clean and flat — do not bend plastic rulers.
• Store pencils, erasers and small tools in a clear pencil case. This prevents loss and keeps your desk tidy.
• Use a sharpener rather than a knife unless a teacher shows you how to use a knife safely.
• Tape your paper lightly to the board when drawing to avoid movement and tearing the paper when removing tape (pull tape gently).

Materials you will often use in Kenya

Local stationery shops and school stores usually sell: HB pencils, metric rulers (30 cm), plastic set squares, basic compasses, protractors and cartridge paper. For exam practice, ask your teacher what exact equipment is allowed.

Simple classroom activities

• Find and name 8 instruments on your desk. Draw a small sketch of each and write its use beneath.
• Using a compass, draw three circles of radii 1 cm, 2 cm and 3 cm. Label the radii.
• Use a ruler to draw two parallel lines 2 cm apart along the length of your paper.
• Measure and draw an angle of 60° with a protractor. Check with a 60° set square.

Mini quiz (write answers on paper)

1. Which pencil grade is best for light construction lines? (Answer: _______)
2. Which tool helps you draw exactly 90°? (Answer: _______)
3. How do you avoid tearing your paper when using tape? (Answer: _______)

Teacher note: Demonstrate safe compass use and correct T‑square setup in class. Encourage students to practise measuring in millimetres (mm) and centimetres (cm).