Sing it, Brother Loomis!

For my money, the best books on perspective are by Andrew Loomis. All out of print, as far as I know. Here's some material relevant to the Combat assignment, as well as just about any job you're likely to have in the future.
Hope you like my ADHD-friendly sherbet coloration.

JH

The Combat assignment!

Complete one line drawing in good proportion. Your drawing must show two people in hand to hand combat. Your characters may be engaged in a fist fight, a play fight, brawl or wrestling match. There should be no guns or remote weapons involved. Knives, bludgeons etc. are okay as they still involve physical interaction between the two characters. Poses should feel authentic and have movement. Identify the general thrust/direction line to your attacking and defensive poses.

Your characters should be drawn in proportion with each other and without clothes. You may use reference as inspiration for the pose you choose but make your drawing in different perspective from your source. This will lead to a finished illustration with costume and environment so now is the time to decide on your theme and the angle from which you want to view it for the maximum dramatic effect. Figures should NOT be cropped by the edge of the image.

This drawing should be roughly 10" x 10", neat with, strong simple contour lines. Take the time you need to perfect the anatomy, proportion and foreshortening of various body parts. When finished set your drawing aside and reassess it the next day.

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Analyze the photos provided. You can see the lingerie smackdown is posed and fake, but how? What about the martial arts pix is different, and how can you get that in your homework? A lot of it has to do with how much the fighters lean into the action, and put their attention on what they are doing. And how much their opponents are lifted off the ground, how they lose control over what their bodies are doing. If you were drawing the two shaven posers really arm wrestling, what aspects could you borrow from the pic of the little boys to make it real?

JH

Assignment 6

Here's the assignment for next week:
Complete 4 nude figure drawings in good proportion using

1 point perspective – seated figure,
2 point perspective - reclining figure,
2 point vertical - walking figure.
3 point perspective - standing figure,

They should be a variety of ages and body types. Give your figures natural - not wooden – poses. Make your drawings as clear and neat as possible using one line for contours.

To handle the different body types, you'll need to gather some reference for inspiration and observation of consistent patterns in people's structure--never for copying of course.

Good luck, y'all,
JH

Drawing a Head in Two-Point Perspective

Hey, Everybody,
I made this animated GIF today to help with the next assignment. The first part of it should look very familiar! Click on it to see it animate.
Let me point out some things about the idea of the head in the box:
* The point is to regulate proportion and perspective.
* The head is inside the box except the ears.
* The front panel is touched only by the tip of the nose!
* I put the ears a little bit back of the vertical center line of the side of the box. This conforms with what I've observed.
* Remember that you are putting an egg-shaped object in a rectangular box. Visualize that. The biggest egg you could put in a box will not contact any corner or edge of the box, 'cause eggs ain't square. Not close.
* The proportions of the box are 2x3x3.
* Note that the centerline of the face follows the changes of plane in the face. It falls back from the centerline on the box, except at the very tip of the nose. But if you looked at the face exactly from the front, both centerlines would visually coincide to a single line.

I think this face is off--I'm sure you're agree. The mouth is too pushed-in and overly girly for what I meant to be a dude. But it's the lesson that counts, right? Right!

Here's the assignment:

Homework #6

Read/reread Ch. 9

Draw a human head in 1 point, 2 point, 2 point vertical and 3 point perspective. Make each head as realistic as possible. Use the methods you have learned so far to show the relationship between various features. Be aware that the face works on different planes and depths, the eyes and mouth are not on the same vertical plane for instance. This homework is a test of your knowledge of perspective and head proportion and anatomy.

Each head should be shown in a transparent box that shows the accurate use of the type of perspective used. Choose varying angles from below, above and the side, that show the details of the face as clearly as possible. Do NOT include hair, beards, hats, spectacles etc.

Each of your 4 line drawings should be 9" x 12" or larger.

It is strongly suggested you use photo reference to create a "mug-shot" of someone you find attractive: precise profile and front views, with boxes around each so you can see the proportions of the landmarks of the face and where they fall on the box. Use this to determine what is a head width to depth ratio that works for you.

Please do not just draw a head and then throw a box around it. I'm not that dumb, and you will learn less.

PLEASE NOTE:

ALL WORK DONE FOR THIS CLASS SHOULD BE AS REALISTIC AS POSSIBLE, ANY STYLIZATION OR DISTORTION WILL BE PERCEIVED AS A FLAW.

Your grade will depend on your understanding of the principles and constructions involved in the assignment as well as the complexity, accuracy and detail of your drawing. Composition, line quality, clarity and cleanliness will also be factors. Going beyond the call of duty is strongly encouraged as long as you remain true to the brief. Show what you are capable of.


JH

2ptV/3Pt Assignment 5

illustrations by Andrew Robinson, David Chelsea

Hi, Everybody.
Which of these pix is 2PtV? Which is 3pt? Notice that the view of the western town includes the horizon without looking bad or weird.

Also attached, as promised: the handout from David Chelsea's Perspective! for Comic Book Artists that shows what happens when you you shift your 3pt view away from the equilateral triangle, and a B- specimen of Assignment 5 (the line drawing of gift boxes).

Here's a better statement of the assignment:

Homework #5

Read Chapters 8,9

Using two point vertical and 3 point perspective complete a drawing of three inanimate objects. The objects can be anything you please but each must be different from the other 2.

Two objects should be drawn in three point and the third in two point vertical. All three objects must work together IN THE SAME DRAWING.

Remember that in 2 point vertical one vanishing point must be at the centre of vision on the horizon the other should be directly above or below.

With 3 point perspective 2 points must be on the horizon and the third should be above or beneath, placed an equal distance from the other two forming a triangle with equal sides.

DO NOT SHOW THE HORIZON IN YOUR IMAGE.

Special attention should be paid to the scale of objects in relation to each other. You may include a background for extra credit.


Your drawing should be 9" x 12" or larger. You may add value if you wish.

PLEASE NOTE:

ALL WORK DONE FOR THIS CLASS SHOULD BE AS REALISTIC AS POSSIBLE, ANY STYLISATION OR DISTORTION WILL BE PERCEIVED AS A FLAW.

Your grade will depend on your understanding of the principles and constructions involved in the assignment as well as the complexity, accuracy and detail of your drawing. Composition, line quality, clarity and cleanliness will also be factors. Going beyond the call of duty is strongly encouraged as long as you remain true to the brief. Show what you are capable of.

Fightin' Assignment 11 with Pix

Homework #11

Create an illustration for the story of Beauty and the Beast. Research and design your characters and locations to fit the country/era in which you decide to set the story.

Your style must be 100% literal/realistic.

Illustrate the passage below using the 2 point perspective mirror construction you learned in class. We should see both Beauty and her environment reflected accurately in the mirror. Beauty - shown from head to toe - and at least three other items must be seen repeated in the mirror. Don't forget: this illustration must show as much accurate reflection of objects as possible and will be graded accordingly.

Your line drawing should be 9" x 12" or larger at the same proportion. Keep it neat, clean and accurate. A single line should indicate edges; straight edges should be straight and organic shapes clear and effective. Ensure that this drawing is as professional and precise as you are capable of producing. Add no value at this time.

When her father had ridden out of sight, Beauty went to her room, she found it more charming than any she had ever seen. On one wall hung a full-length mirror and beneath it, in letters of gold, was written:

“Little Beauty, dry your eyes,
Needless are those tears and sighs;
Gazing in this looking-glass,
What you wish shall come to pass.”

These lines comforted Beauty, for she thought that if she were very unhappy she could wish herself at home again.

Fightin' Assignment 10

Homework #10


Continue with your line drawing from last week by putting your characters into a convincing, non-fantastic man-made environment that fits both thematically and perceptively.

Use the methods discussed in class to ensure that all elements stay in proportion and in perspective with each other. Be sure the horizon coincides with that used to draw your characters.

Remember than receding planes should appear shorter than those that face you.

Make your environment realistic, interesting, and detailed. Observe the finer points of doors, windows, furniture - whatever you choose to include in our piece. If you are unsure of the exactly design of an object feel free to gain reference and use it, however it is not permitted to copy/trace an environment exactly.

Consider introducing elements that overlap your fighting characters to involve them more in their environment. Include organic and geometric shapes, which will add variety and hopefully avoid the 'perspective drawing' look. Use more than one form or perspective (one point & two point for example). This will make your environment appear less deliberate.

Your drawing should be neat, clean and accurate. A single line should indicate edges; straight edges should be straight and organic shapes clear and effective. Ensure that this drawing is as professional and precise as you are capable of producing.

JH