Topic 2 : Practice drawing still life
Drawing still life applying the linear perspective
Drawing still life applying the linear perspective can sense the drawing in the picture nearer or further. It conveys the drawn still life to 3D illusion on 2D plane. It is necessary for the practitioner of line drawing to have a basic knowledge of linear perspective.
Linear perspective
conveys a near-far distance of drawing of various objects. The main point is objects of the same size, positioning at different spots or distances make different visualization. The object looks bigger when placing at the front with sharper light and shadow value weight than the one further, but it looks smaller at the back spot with lighter light and shadow value weight, not as sharp as the front.
The 3 main principles of linear perspective are
1. viewpoint
2. eye level line
3. vanishing point
(Banjongsak Pimthong, 2544)
Image shows linear perspective.
1. Viewpoint is the position of the viewer.
2. Eye level is the line the viewer looks straight ahead without looking up or down. When turning, sweeping his eyes to the left or right, he will see through object in a straight horizontal line.
This straight horizontal line is a virtual line to divide between ground and sky, so-called an eye level line or horizontal line (HL).
The object beyond the eye level is high, the viewer needs to look up; on the other hand, the one below the eye level is low, he/she needs to look down.
3. Vanishing point (VP) is the ending point, positioning left, right, above and below. In drawing a picture, there may be more than one vanishing points. The visible outline of an object will go towards a vanishing point, causes the designation of the object look smaller and smaller. The nearer to the vanishing point, the smaller the object.
Image shows 2 vanishing points on a horizontal line.
How to draw a still life following linear perspective
1. Line drawing using one point perspective The image is drawn from one vanishing point (VP). It is a depth view, the shape gradually getting smaller towards a vanishing point.
Example 1 : Drawing an alarm clock as follows:
Step 1 Set a horizontal line (HL), a vanishing point (VP) and sketch the lines to designate the rectangular volume, as illustrated below.
Step 2 Sketch a curved line at the four corners (of an alarm clock) both front and back, and sketch the sidelines of an alarm clock, this will get a shape of an alarm clock as one point perspective. (At this step, if the drawer has more experienced and understand the linear perspective, it is not necessary to do as explained.)
Step 3 When the alarm clock’s shape and form is obtained (from step 1, 2), draw fine details as visually seen, or add light and shadow value weight as satisfied, and slightly erase the unwanted lines.
Example 2 Drawing a wooden lathe bowl with the same method as drawing example 1 (alarm clock)
Step 1 Set a horizontal line, a vanishing point and sketch the lines to designate the rectangular volume.
Step 2 Sketch the oval shapes (ellipse) at the top and bottom parts of the wooden lathe bowl, sketch the curved lines both on the left and right. Its shape will be appeared as needed, follows linear perspective.
Step 3 When the wooden lathe bowl’s shape and form is obtained as one point linear perspective, draw fine details as visually seen with light and shadow value till completed as needed and satisfied.
2. Drawing lines using 2 point perspective
The image is drawn from 2 vanishing points (VP), seeing the sides and the front shape of the object tapered towards the 2 vanishing points. Ways to draw are as follows:
Step 1 Set a horizontal line (HL), 2 vanishing points on a HL and a vertical line being the edge of a pencil sharpener (below the HL). For drawing a large picture, vanishing points will be outside the frame, the drawer needs to calculate or estimate to set his own appropriately, also set lines leading to 2 vanishing points. After that, continue sketching and put fine details of the image.
Step 2 Draw lines from the edge of a pencil sharpener to 2 vanishing points and vertical lines as the width of a sharpener.
Step 3 Draw fine details of a pencil sharpener along with the light and shadow value weight as visually seen till completed.
Positioning the objects
Visualizing the circular still life such as a glass of water, a cup of coffee or teapot, a bottle, cans, etc., if the object is below the horizontal line at any level, the drawer will see more of the inside of that circular object, the bottom line of the shape is visually seen paralleling to the top of a circular or a cylinder shapes. On the contrary, if the object is above the horizontal line, the drawer will see the bottom of the object at any level.
Summary
Line drawing still life applying linear perspective makes the drawing have near-far distances, also it can convey an object to a complete 3D (illusions) correctly and more accurately.
The linear perspective conveys a near-far distance of various objects. The main point is objects of the same size positioning at different spots or distances cause the visualization of an object bigger, with clearer and sharper light and shadow value at the front, but at the back spot, it looks smaller with dimmer light and shadow. The main principles of linear perspective are 1. viewpoint 2. eye level and 3. vanishing point. Drawing a still life according to linear perspective is drawing lines using one point as well as two points perspectives.
For positioning a glass of water, if it is positioned below the horizontal line at any level, the drawer will see more of the inside of that glass. The bottom line of the shape is always paralleling to the top. On the other hand, if the object is above the horizontal line, the drawer will see the bottom of the object at any level too, if the glass is at eye level, the top and the bottom of the glass will be linear.