One way to understand an object you're drawing is to draw it from multiple points of view. From a purely analytic standpoint, you come to realize that complex objects can be broken down into simple components that come together in a fairly logical way. The class started with a really simple object -- a cube. Over the next 12 weeks we progressed from the cube to a cylinder, a wine bottle, a funnel, etc. Each time we drew the objects from different points of view, at the same time designing a pleasing composition. The class was a little dry for my liking but it's the equivalent of eating spinach and broccoli -- maybe it's not your favorite thing but it's certainly good for you.
Fifteen years later I was working with a photographer on a product shoot for one of my clients. I drew an open medicine cabinet full of toiletries and medication. It was a quick sketch just to show the photographer a general idea of the point of view and what my layout was going to look like. When the photographer and I spoke to finalize the details of the shoot, he mentioned how much he appreciated my drawing -- especially the attention to the single-point perspective I used to delineate the shelves. I have my drawing class to thank -- it was great to be able to draw a complex picture using a multiplicity of elements that I was able to put together in a logical fashion. More importantly, because of the intensity of the class, I was able to, years later, be able to capitalize on what I learned intuitively, like it was second nature.
Your drawings are amazingly precise! That's something I can only aspire to at this point in my drawing ability. Very nice work!
Posted by: Sherri | February 26, 2008 at 03:38 AM