Hi all!
The second week of the #aprilDrawing challenge was more exciting!!!. Perspective and still life are the main areas covered in it, and if you need extra motivation, the YouTube Channels that I follow will do the trick.
(This is the link to Week #1, in case you missed it.)
Perspective
What’s the whole point of Perspective? Simply put: Perspective will help you to represent three-dimensional images (real life) on a two-dimensional plane (your sketchbook).
A key concept related to Perspective that must be understood is Vanishing Point. This is the spot on the horizon line that helps to create the three-dimensional effect because this is the point where apparently parallel lines in the drawing will converge.
Three perspective types were covered over the week:
- One Point Perspective: The simplest way to represent perspective because it uses one single Vanishing Point. In the example above, the house and the barn are drawn using lines that if extended, reach the single Vanishing Point.
- Two Point Perspective: In this case, two Vanishing Points are used on the horizon line. The further they are from each other, the better. Personally, I liked this one more than the previous one because it’s more realistic, but at the same time, it’s a little more complex to represent, especially when shadowing is mandatory (that’s most of the time if you want to become good at drawing).
- Three Point Perspective: This one uses two Vanishing Points as in the previous type, and a third point above or below of the horizon line. This is the perspective that you get when you stand at the front gate of a building and look up. I learned that you can use it to exaggerate objects, for example, a haunted-house entrance.
Even though I exercised the three of them, it feels like I need to practice more to master perspective. #mentalReminder.
Perspective Tip: Rule of 60%
The Rule of 60% is something that I learned in my Udemy Drawing class and that is extremely important to follow in order to make your drawing more realistic.
It says: measure the distance between your two horizontal Vanishing Points and calculate what’s 60% of that measurement (let’s say that the distance is 10 inches, therefore, the 60% is 6in). Then, find the middle between those two points and mark what represents half of your 60% to the left and the other half to the right (considering 6in your 60%, that would be 3in each side). Do the same above and below your horizontal line and you’ll have defined a rectangle (or square). That’s where you want to draw your objects to make them feel proportionate to the perspective. Otherwise, they may look less realistic.
Still Life
Drawing from real life? Now we’re talking! 🙂
The best tip to get good at Still Life drawing that I’m finding every day of this month: Practice, practice, ….and practice a little more. Needless to say that this kind of drawing will force you to improve your shadows and that will affect the perception of texture and three-dimensional nature of your objects.
This is the most challenging thing I’ve done so are, but many people, mainly Pro Illustrators suggest to do it as frequently as possible and that makes complete sense. Only through real-life observation can we understand the true nature of objects and convey it through our drawings.
Fun Fact. “Il Maestro Leonardo Da Vinci” was probably one of the few people in history that took observation to the next level. It’s said that he used to study corpses to understand how to express the human body in his art. Hundreds of years later, his most famous creation – La Mona Lisa – led to love affairs and even suicides inspired by the realism of the masterpiece.
YouTube Drawing Channels
- Draw with Jazza. I love this channel, Jazza is so funny and at the same time, his talent will motivate you to keep drawing and to try different approaches.
- Fine Art-Tips. Leonardo will show you how hyperrealism is not a far distant goal to achieve.
- Mark Crilley. His illustrations and use of different techniques will definitely motivate you to copy his style in many ways!
That’s it for this week! I hope you’re learning as much as I am every day.
Keep on learning!!