This sounds like the course I’ve been searching for my ENTIRE LIFE (which is as lengthy as my passion for art). I know a lot of those techniques you were demoing, but as much as I’ve used them, I’ve never really been able to *think* in perspective. But what I’ve come to learn is that being able to think in perspective is the difference between art, and great art. I am so so excited for this.

Some waterfalls from imagination! I really enjoyed experimenting with ellipses to construct more organic shapes. I feel like I fall into the “perspective is just cubes” trap and everything I make becomes boxy and uninteresting— but this got my creative brain singing! :D I especially enjoyed figuring out that you can use the concave side of the ellipse as well as the convex side in order to create more interesting waterfall shapes. This is so cool!

Gave it a try studying rapids as well. I found it very clear to start with ellipses then I sketched on top the supporting details. I tried to show the rounded form of water falling off the edges but it was tough. The foam was 😭 Feedback always appreciated!

I applied what was discussed here and I am blow away by the outcome. I used one roun brus and tried to vary the thickness and size of the elipses. I didnt have any reference, i just made something on the spot on scrap sheet of watercolor paper... WOW! this way of thinking about every day things might just be a game changer for me

I once read an incredible little book called "Drawing Textbook" by Bruce McIntyre, and he says that perspective is the basis of art, the way arithmetic is the basis of mathematics. Without that basis, you won't be able to advance very far without experiencing excessive difficulty. SO excited for this course! :D

My big picture goal is to be proficient at inventing dynamic figures and compositions, and designing fun and immersive environments and props that tell stories— for the purpose of creating graphic novels! I want everything I draw to be grounded in the fundamentals of form and perspective so that my work feels more like a window into a world that really exists, rather than flat drawings on a page. My heroes are: 1. Nicholas Kole. (First 6 arts) His sense of form and his style of rendering makes you believe everything he makes as if it’s real, even though it’s very plush and cartoony. It’s soft and vibrant, and so beautifully rooted in fundamental shape design that I just wish I could eat it like candy! 2. Pascal Campion. (Middle 4 arts) He gets you to believe the maximum with the minimum. Sometimes his perspective isn’t even “correct,” but he uses it like a tool to tell beautiful stories that I admire so much. He also has such a wonderful way with lighting that I admire! 3. Denis Istomin. (Last 3 arts) His work shows intense scale and atmosphere; beautiful colours as well as shapes! They all make me want to ask questions, and run through the worlds he makes. There are so many other artists that I’d show for similar reasons (Hayao Miyazaki, Leyendecker, Carl Barks, Stephen McCranie), but these three really capture what sparks joy for me.