Sighting and Measuring

Exercises use vertical, horizontal and diagonal references to organize the drawing. Reference is made to the frame as well as making decisions about the orientation/axis of the drawing. Guidelines for sighting the proportions of the head from a profile view may also be taught.

Shape

Objects are made from shapes. These shapes within objects can be broken down into simple geometric cylinders, cones, cubes and polyhedrons (many sided).

Sometimes it helps to see a complex shape and to cut through forms by using a combination of simple shapes. Look for the vertical and horizontal lines or edges first.

Relate and align these to the frame of your page. Establish the relative proportions (length, width and depth) which will help you analyze an object.

Sighting

Shape

Actual; clearly defined or positive areas

Implied; suggested or created by the psychological connections of dots, lines, areas or their edges, creating the visual appearance of a shape that does not physically exist (amorphous)

Geometric

Biomorphic

Rectilinear

Curvilinear

Planar

Show mass

Show volume