Assignment - The Secret of Simple Forms
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Assignment - The Secret of Simple Forms
courseThe Perspective CourseSelected 2 parts (109 lessons)
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Vera Robson
Much to learn...
LESSON NOTES

Understanding Illusions

Creating depth involves techniques like overlap and atmosphere (things fading into the background), which are straightforward. However, foreshortening, diminution, and convergence to vanishing points require practice.

The Key Skill: Simplifying Forms

To master advanced techniques, focus on reducing complex forms into simple ones you can draw in any position. This skill is essential for drawing from imagination rather than copying.

Copying vs. Understanding

Copying details helps you notice specifics but doesn't enable you to redraw in a new position from memory. Simplify the object and practice repositioning it without direct observation.

Drawing Objects in Any Position

Draw the object as a simplified form, like a box, then draw it again in a different position. This exercise helps you grasp the structure and master the line systems that determine perspective.

The Importance of Line Systems

Understanding a box's three line systems is crucial. Once you position a box, these lines solve all other lines. This concept applies to both objects and settings.

Start with Simple Forms

Before tackling complex forms, practice with simple, blocky ones. Objects with many parts can overwhelm beginners. Begin with shapes like blocks, wedges, cylinders, toruses, and spheres.

Notes on Spheres

While spheres are simple, placing precise ellipses on them is advanced. Accurate ellipses stem from understanding boxes. So, mastering boxes first aids in drawing spheres.

Introducing the Blob Approach

Try the Blob Approach, a method of starting with a shape and adding cross-contour lines to define it. This helps you sculpt a simplified version of your object.

Upcoming Lessons

We'll dive into the science of form: orthos, axes, eye levels, picture planes, and more. Experimenting now primes you for these concepts.

Continue learning about Perspective in the premium course!

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ASSIGNMENTS
  1. Choose an Object: Select something relatively simple or box-like in form, such as a household item or a geometric shape.
  2. Initial Drawing: Draw the object in a three-quarter view without focusing on detail. Seek the basic structure as if it were contained within a box.
  3. Repositioning: Without looking at the object, attempt to draw it again from a different angle. This challenges you to understand and mentally manipulate the whole object.
  4. Iteration: Repeat this process at least three times, each time choosing a different position. Aim to show it foreshorten in various orientations.

Don't forget to share your work with the community!

This assignment is designed to help you break down complex objects into simpler, manageable forms, which is a crucial skill for mastering practical perspective.

Deadline - submit by January 20, 2025 for a chance to be in the critique video!

Carlos Javier Roo Soto
Here're two blobs that had been approached. I don't know if it's because I haven't draw perspective focus in a while, or I forgot some knowledge of this course, the pencil I used, or I was tired from editing a video. OR ALL THE ABOVE, I feel I was too careless and messy with these sketches, and probably didn't help I was doing it under a timer and I wanted to get it done quickly. If you have any observations on what I should correct I missed, please let me know. Thanks.
Jack Frumkes
I tried to spend some extra time here. (Although with the blobs and wrapping lines practice I think I rushed a bit. I prob could be more precise with my lines.) I think I definitely am struggling with converging points and where to place things in space relative to another object. I'm thinking maybe I should move on and then come back to this once I've done some grids and more precise measuring? Maybe then I wouldn't feel like I'm guessing as much.
Chuck Ludwig Reina
Well done! I think the trick to anything, especially perspective is to learn the rules, but also do exercises like this where you're not getting too bogged down on making it "right" Eventually it all starts to make sense and you will intuitively be able to "fake" perspective quickly, which is a huge help! Keep at it!
@snakker
10d
A few more I've done, haven't flipped em all, just thinking in terms of constructing them cheers
vitor
14d
I chose one a very simple object. It was interessing. Thank you.
@snakker
16d
My first submission, tried various angles cheers!
Mandy
21d
My first three attempts at drawing simple objects from different angles! This was a really fun exercise and something I will continue to do in the future. I always preferred to draw with more soft and round lines compared to hard and straight lines, and that's why I chose to draw a banana. It's simple in it's shape, yet has enough features to be easy to differentiate in different angles (I tried this exercise with a fried egg first and realised quickly it's ... quite flat and very similar top and bottom lol). I'm pretty happy with the angle in the #4 banana picture, while the second one in particular requires some work I think .. I then moved on to a milk box, which was really fun to figure out! I drew it freehand (again, I prefer softer strokes, so working strictly with a ruler makes me feel quite limited), so some of the angles are juuust a bit off I think. But my main focus for these was to figure out the "bigger picture" - what part actually goes where in each angle. I think it turned out okay at least! Then I finished off with something super simple - a book. I was getting tired here, so I put less time into this one, but at least it was some extra practice!
@snakker
10d
hah, banana is gold nice work mate Only things I notice is something feels off on the top left and bottom right drawings of the milk box. cheers
Em
25d
i think i didn't simplify this enough ... will try with something else later
Rachel Dawn Owens
This is super cool. Lots of depth in these dog drawings.
Mélanie Grosmangin
I did this assignment with a coffee machine. First one is my day 1 attempt, second one my day 2 attempt. It is super wonky, I hope to be better with the plane!
Osman Perez
I had fun doing this assignment
Ronald Moss Jr
For this assignment, I wanted to just keep it simple and try to draw an airplane using the tactics provided.
Alison Shelton
@kunasenpai
My assigment. Nothing fancy to begin with
M0GAKU
3mo
Blob method got hands
mike mcdonald
I feel pretty frustrated with how much I struggle with drawing simple boxes in perspective. That’s kind of silly to say, because that’s why I’m taking the course haha, but I feel behind. I’ve done the drawing basics course, drawn thousands of boxes, but still when trying to envelop the phone/break it into shapes it just doesn’t look right.
@snakker
10d
Damn nice job, especially that phone, I actually also saw it on pinterest and tried it various times and scrapped em all XD cheers
Gloria Wickman
wow was this a humbling assignment for me. I tried to do a small easel and it proved so challenging that i started tackling it in pieces, so I have wedges drawn from different angles, then the easel laying flat, and then finally expanded out into a standing position. I think the biggest thing I learned is the importance of finding the *right* simple shape(s) to use. In my early attempts I tried making three long boxes because I thought that was simple enough but getting them properly aligned proved challenging. I then tried starting with a triangle with some thickness which solved the alignment problems. I've made some progress but definitely still have quite a way to go.
PJ Magalhaes
Had a go with the old Gameboy!
@cisco724
3mo
Ixi V
4mo
Posting here more as an exercise in getting myself comfortable with sharing more than anything! I chose a super simple object to replicate, just to play around. I really like this blob method apporach, but still struggle with those in between views, and maintainting proptions/mass.
Sandra Süsser
Finally caught up with the course.
Chuck Ludwig Reina
Looks great! I practically had to duck because I thought i was about to get stabbed.
Tommy Pinedo
Love this :D
@kotka
4mo
I decided to try really hard to maintain an orthogonal perspective to this exercise. I think it really forces me to focus so I can pull off consistent parallel lines with the same degree, as well as really maintaining proportion. It was not easy, as I am more used to converging lines (mistakes are easier to hide that way).
Rachel Dawn Owens
This looks so good! Nice sharp boxes!
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