How do you make something look three-dimensional
and in proportion?
One of the most common problems in drawing is lack of structure.
You can see it when the eyes don't quite line up right, or
when the handle on a cup looks odd, or when a figure's arms
are too long. More often than not, the artist has dived into
drawing details, and all the detailed areas haven't quite
matched when joined together. To avoid this, you need to sketch
the structure first, then build up the detail.
How do I draw the structure?
This approach is similar to the 'step by step' method of
circles and ovals that you will often see in drawing lessons,
where the picture is broken into simple shapes. But instead
of two-dimensional, flat shapes, now you need to look for
three-dimensional ones that you will sketch in perspective.
'Seeing through' an object to build structure
Where do I start?
Start with fairly simple objects and then try more complicated
ones. One useful approach is to imagine the object that you
want to sketch is made of glass, visualizing the hidden edges
of the object so that you can draw them. Lightly pencil in
the whole form, including lines you can't see, will help you
accurately show perspective and proportion. The exercise below
takes you through the steps.
There are two main approaches to drawing structure. The first
is to start with basic skeleton and add detail, visualizing
the basic shapes that underly a complex surface, like a sculptor
working in clay and adding pieces on. The second method involves
an imaginary box, working from the outside in, imagining basic
shapes that the form fits within, like a sculptor starting
with a block of marble and chipping bits away. Often you will
find yourself using a combination of these two approaches.
Give them both a try!
Visualizing simple forms in a complex object
The Aim: To practice establishing the basic
structure of objects.
What You Need: Sketchbook or paper, HB or
B pencils, everyday objects.
What to Do:
Choose a simple object. It doesn't have to be 'artistic',
a sewing machine or electric kettle is fine!
Now, imagine you are going to sculpt it from a piece of stone.
What rough shapes will you carve out first? Note the very
simple cylinder shapes used for the first sketch in the example
above. Draw the perspective as correctly as you can, freehand.
It doesn't have to be perfect.
Now you can begin to indicate the main shapes within the
form, such as the line through a row of detail, or large indentations.
Show where details will go, but don't get sidetracked by them.
Concentrate on getting the overall proportion and placement.
Finish the drawing if you wish, or just leave it as an exercise
in structure.
Going Further: Try drawing more complex
objects, always looking for simple component shapes. Try looking
for shapes within the objects, like a skeleton, and looking
for containing shapes, like boxes, with which to establish
your structure. You can practice observing without a pencil
too, just observing your surroundings wherever you are.
Tips:
- Begin with the largest section of a complex form.
- Don't worry about mistakes, they are part of learning.
- Don't use a ruler - train your hand.
- You don't have to 'finish' the sketches.
- Practice!
