by Ruediger Schmidt
One of the most crucial things to learn when learning to draw is realizing the process almost every artist applies to fill a blank sheet with more and more lines till she completed the drawing. Although seemingly complicated this process consists of several separate and simple tasks...
Many artists pursue intuitively these individual tasks step-by-step in the right order. Unluckily while beginning to learn drawing, you maylack the experience to adopt this strategy by instinct. But instead of waiting for the necessary experience, you can use the following shortcut.
I created a scheme around this formula most creative persons understand and follow intuitively. It is composed of four steps: Placement, Outlines, Shapes, Illumination. These four steps are rather simple and pursue the usual forumla to make a drawing. I abbreviated this formula P-O-S-I - a POSItive way to learn drawing.
So let's get going:
1. Placing the objects in your drawing
This is the opening move. Have a look at the complete scenery, identify the particular objects in the scenery and try to understand the scenery. Focus on the particular objects' locations and their location in relation to each other. Finally if you think your apprehension of the scenery is good enough, mark on your sheet where you would like to lay out the particular objects.
Try to be as precise as possible unless you possess already some competence in the art of pictorial composition. Advanced artists know how to modify the scenery for a stronger impression without disturbing realism.
2. Drawing Outlines of the particular objects
Now you know where to lay out the objects it is time to outline them as simple outlines. Look carefully at each part of the scenery and try to understand its outline and shape. Then depict its outline - only the silhouette - in a couple of faint lines. Restrict yourself to the external lines of each element. Repeat this step for every object in the scenery. Ideally you start with objects in the background and move on to the foreground parts.
After completing the sketch of the whole scenery this way, it is time to have a concluding judging look (but not too judging although!). In this stage it is still easy to reposition any object or to correct some lines. Only do not be overly critical and keep in mind: every great drawing lives thanks to slight deviations from reality.
3. Draw the Shape of the particular objects
Now it is time to focus our attention to the objects' anatomies. Start adding the inner structures of the scenery's parts with few and fine lines. Aim the strokes in the proper directions to travel along and build the form of the parts of every object.
For curved objects use curved lines and in plane parts use straight lines. But still limit you to few and faint lines. Just try to get the contours properly. As there are still exclusively fine and faint lines on the sheet you have still the opportunity to correct a line here and there.
Finally your picture has gained a stronger perspective and depth impression. Time to fill out the blanks and perfect your drawing!
4. Illuminate your Drawing
Thus far we merely worked on laying out the scenery utilizing faint lines. Forming the outlines and contours of all objects in the scenery we created a line drawing that portrays the scenerys lookout reliably.
But for producing real naturalism something is lacking: texture, light and shadow. In that last step we'll fill out these elements that generate volume to our drawing and ultimately make it seem realistic. So in this step our opportunities for completing a great picture are high but also is the risk of damaging it beyond repair.
What to do? Once again look carefully at each section of the scenery. Note how light, shadow and surfaces are forming the textures and what the colors are looking like. Most important is the surface - as even if a surface is all one color, its structure and texture produces different tones.
The same goes to shadows. Look how the objects cast shadows on themselves and on objects around them. Add these shadows by first drawing their outline, correcting and honing it and then filling it with darker tones.
When adding all the shades and textures to your picture always try to draw from the background to the foreground. Whilst doing this go from brighter tones and weak contrasts in the background to dark tones and contrasts in the foreground. This ensures a stronger three-dimensionality.
Congratulations! After this final step you completed your drawing. Make one step back and enjoy the result. And keep in mind: when the little critic in you awakes, store your drawing away, the more you'll love it in a few months!A
One of the most crucial things to learn when learning to draw is realizing the process almost every artist applies to fill a blank sheet with more and more lines till she completed the drawing. Although seemingly complicated this process consists of several separate and simple tasks...
Many artists pursue intuitively these individual tasks step-by-step in the right order. Unluckily while beginning to learn drawing, you maylack the experience to adopt this strategy by instinct. But instead of waiting for the necessary experience, you can use the following shortcut.
I created a scheme around this formula most creative persons understand and follow intuitively. It is composed of four steps: Placement, Outlines, Shapes, Illumination. These four steps are rather simple and pursue the usual forumla to make a drawing. I abbreviated this formula P-O-S-I - a POSItive way to learn drawing.
So let's get going:
1. Placing the objects in your drawing
This is the opening move. Have a look at the complete scenery, identify the particular objects in the scenery and try to understand the scenery. Focus on the particular objects' locations and their location in relation to each other. Finally if you think your apprehension of the scenery is good enough, mark on your sheet where you would like to lay out the particular objects.
Try to be as precise as possible unless you possess already some competence in the art of pictorial composition. Advanced artists know how to modify the scenery for a stronger impression without disturbing realism.
2. Drawing Outlines of the particular objects
Now you know where to lay out the objects it is time to outline them as simple outlines. Look carefully at each part of the scenery and try to understand its outline and shape. Then depict its outline - only the silhouette - in a couple of faint lines. Restrict yourself to the external lines of each element. Repeat this step for every object in the scenery. Ideally you start with objects in the background and move on to the foreground parts.
After completing the sketch of the whole scenery this way, it is time to have a concluding judging look (but not too judging although!). In this stage it is still easy to reposition any object or to correct some lines. Only do not be overly critical and keep in mind: every great drawing lives thanks to slight deviations from reality.
3. Draw the Shape of the particular objects
Now it is time to focus our attention to the objects' anatomies. Start adding the inner structures of the scenery's parts with few and fine lines. Aim the strokes in the proper directions to travel along and build the form of the parts of every object.
For curved objects use curved lines and in plane parts use straight lines. But still limit you to few and faint lines. Just try to get the contours properly. As there are still exclusively fine and faint lines on the sheet you have still the opportunity to correct a line here and there.
Finally your picture has gained a stronger perspective and depth impression. Time to fill out the blanks and perfect your drawing!
4. Illuminate your Drawing
Thus far we merely worked on laying out the scenery utilizing faint lines. Forming the outlines and contours of all objects in the scenery we created a line drawing that portrays the scenerys lookout reliably.
But for producing real naturalism something is lacking: texture, light and shadow. In that last step we'll fill out these elements that generate volume to our drawing and ultimately make it seem realistic. So in this step our opportunities for completing a great picture are high but also is the risk of damaging it beyond repair.
What to do? Once again look carefully at each section of the scenery. Note how light, shadow and surfaces are forming the textures and what the colors are looking like. Most important is the surface - as even if a surface is all one color, its structure and texture produces different tones.
The same goes to shadows. Look how the objects cast shadows on themselves and on objects around them. Add these shadows by first drawing their outline, correcting and honing it and then filling it with darker tones.
When adding all the shades and textures to your picture always try to draw from the background to the foreground. Whilst doing this go from brighter tones and weak contrasts in the background to dark tones and contrasts in the foreground. This ensures a stronger three-dimensionality.
Congratulations! After this final step you completed your drawing. Make one step back and enjoy the result. And keep in mind: when the little critic in you awakes, store your drawing away, the more you'll love it in a few months!A