Kistler 04_Kistler You Can Draw 10/21/10 12:15 PM Page 188
Let’s review how we’ve applied the Nine Fundamental Laws of Drawing to a twopoint-perspective drawing: 1.
Foreshortening: Look at the bottom pedestal of the tower. Notice how the top of this pedestal is a foreshortened square. By distorting this into a foreshortened shape, you create the illusion that one part is closer to your eye.
2. Placement: See how the lowest point in the tower is also the nearest point in your drawing. The lowest point of the tower appears to be closer. 3. Size: Notice how the largest part of the tower is the center. This is where the guide lines to both side vanishing points come together. The largest part of the tower appears to be closer. 4. Overlapping: Look at how the center column of the tower partially blocks the view of the pedestal and the capstone. This overlapping creates the illusion of near and far. 5. Shading: Shading the tower opposite the light source creates depth. 6. Shadow: Using the right vanishing point to draw the shadow guide line visually anchors the tower to the ground, rather than have it appear to be floating in space. 7. Contour: You could add a water pipe jutting out of the building using one of the vanishing points as a direction guide to draw your contour lines. 8. Horizon: Look how the entire drawing is based on the position of the horizon line between the two vanishing points. 9. Density: You could draw other smaller buildings behind this tower, lined up with these same two vanishing points. You would draw them lighter and less distinct to create the illusion of atmosphere.
An excellent way to remember all Nine Fundamental Laws of Drawing is to create a wacky cartoon story in your imagination based on the first letters of each of the Nine Laws in proper sequence (F, P, S, O, S, S, C, H, D). Here is what I teach in my classes, but feel free to create your own wild visual images. The more outlandish and exaggerated your story is, the better your recall of it will be. In your imagination picture “fluffy pillows surfing on super small carrots holding dinosaurs.” This is a fun, whimsical whacky visual chain that will enable you to remember these Nine Laws forever! I’m serious. I taught a big burly cowboy named “Rock” (who just happened to have won the world bull-riding competition in New York City!) this memory trick on an airplane in less than four minutes! He then drew a very cool rose in 3-D for his wife. Yes, I do have the most interesting weekly plane rides!
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YOU CAN DRAW IN 30 DAYS