I think this is a question of "does practice make perfect?" and could possibly be best addressed over a period of time with a selection of students (maybe something like a middle school class?). If I were to design some sort of research project out of this, I might choose one or two classes of art 1 students and introduce to them at the beginning of the year that they will be required to keep weekly sketchbooks. If I required them to make 5 observational sketches and 5 "free sketches" per week, I could perhaps get them to not only develop their technical drawing skills, but their observational and creative skills as well.
To measure the outcomes of a semester long sketchbook assignment, I might compare technical and creative assignments (metaphorical still-lives, portraits, etc.) that the students produce over the semester chronologically to see their development. Perhaps I could compare this class with a "control" class that was not required to keep sketchbooks to see if there is a significant difference overall.
I think that you would find that practice really helps to improve the skill of drawing and that students would develop their own style. You could To measure the outcomes of a semester long sketchbook assignment, I might compare technical and creative assignments (metaphorical still-lives, portraits, etc.) that the students produce over the semester chronologically to see their development. Perhaps I could compare this class with a "control" class that was not required to keep sketchbooks to see if there is a significant difference overall.
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