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Learning How To Draw

Elementary Perspective: Lesson 11
Time:	Allow 40 min (TEN MIN INTRODUCTION)
Aim:	To understand the principle of multiple vanishing points and how they work in nature.
Materials:	30x45cms or 12"x18" standard cartridge paper (thick, white, plain) sketchpad. HB pencil Ruler
Notes:	In this, the first part of this lesson the teacher will need to demonstrate the following on the chalkboard. But, if the teacher deems necessary, these first six explanatory diagrams can be printed and handed out. However, a quick demonstration on a chalkboard will give everyone confidence. The teacher could do this with ten minutes of preparation ... OK, I know time is valuable, and I must admit, I never prepared for a lesson on my life. I just did it by sensing the need of the student and seeing where that may lead us ... ... in a classroom of thirty odd students, that is called living on the edge, but then again I am easily bored... anyway, remember our railway line in a previous lesson? Move the vanishing point along the horizon line to the right as above. Just use common judgement to place the sleepers ... as you do in any class. Of course, as the line bends, it does so with a 'curve'. Draw in the freehand curve as shown. Next we find a vanishing point 'above' the horizon! This will have the effect of making the line appear to rise up. See above. Then go down again ... with a vanishing point below the line. Firm in the lines and explain that every 'regular' object can be placed in space to have its own vanishing point. Here we have merely joined a few. Students - construct margin and title box on a new page then: a) In approximate positions, as above, lightly construct a road bending to the right and descending. ... b) firm in such until the curves transcend the horizontal .. c) add a nice curving hill ... d) change direction and do the same thing again. Your own 'judgement' should be used to determine the 'new' width of the road. Logically it must be smaller than its width as it disappears over the first hill. Point out that this width will determine just how far the first hill is from the second. This lesson is continued in the next module ...
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