Basic 101: Class 3 - Drawing Cubic Objects

[arnoud3272]

Catherine - You're off to a good start .
Remember to check all parallel lines for errors of perspective, until you get the necessary "gut feeling".
Just one example:

BTW, all lines of a set of parallel lines share a VP. Mind that they can be from different objects. Perspective is not a property of objects, it is caused by an optical phenomenon, and the rays of light don't remember where they come from .

I also don't want to make a lot of mistakes because the marks are always there .
And I tried my best not to make one of the die taller than the other but it still looks like that .

Keep correcting the errors that you see, that is the best way to "learn to see". And when you think you saw everything, lay it aside for some hours, and compare again, you'll find more errors . On the problem of faulty lines staying visible, you could have read in the first post of this class how to proceed (the procedure numbered 1 to 8). And if your sketch becomes too confusing, you can always take an intermediate copy of what is correct ("step 6") and continue from there . BTW, you don't need tracing paper if you use a lightbox.
Keep up the good work .

[Suisei]

Okay! I tend to get a light box! Well I had some tracing paper lying around but I couldn't really transfer it well on the printer paper so it's still sketchy.

Hopefully it looks better.

[arnoud3272]

Catherine - It is better, but ...

Keep correcting the errors that you see, that is the best way to "learn to see". And when you think you saw everything, lay it aside for some hours, and compare again, you'll find more errors

Now a day later, do you see? The left dice still looks higher than wide. And I gave only one example of a perspective error, there are more...

Sometimes it is easier, faster, more productive, to restart from scratch. The problem with the left dice is such a case, because all edges must be changed.

I tend to get a light box!

You can improvise one



or even use the window in bright daylight, but better not with the sun in your eyes .

[Seriphina]

It's been a while, this took longer than I care to admit. ty

[arnoud3272]

Welcome back, Lauren
Looks very good, well done .
This class is the real foundation of understanding how to "see". I'd advise to draw another cubic object(s) before moving on.

[Seriphina]

Do you advise using a ruler? I tried drawing it how I saw it first then sort of tried to use an edge to line up what I saw with what was on the paper? If that makes sense? When I draw what I see without holding an edge up for reference I end up with all sorts of weird angles! Will do another. ty

[arnoud3272]

Originally Posted by Seriphina

Do you advise using a ruler? I tried drawing it how I saw it first then sort of tried to use an edge to line up what I saw with what was on the paper? If that makes sense? When I draw what I see without holding an edge up for reference I end up with all sorts of weird angles! Will do another. ty

-- Using a ruler for guiding the pencil: yes for vanishing lines - or other auxiliary lines that are not kept in the final drawing. For the drawing itself, it is the way architects and technical draughtsmen used to draw (in the pre-computer era). Then your work will look like a technical drawing. If that is the intention, fine .
-- Using to check angles: excellent . It is one of many methods to check your accuracy.
With all checking and measuring methods, it is generally accepted that you learn faster if you do not start with measuring. Draw first, then check.

[Suisei]

Been awhile. Drawing anxiety has not been kind to me but I tried my best again. > <



The left die still looks pretty bad though. I think I need to redo it. This is really hard or I'm just slow..

[arnoud3272]

Well done, Catherine .
There are no fundamental errors in this drawing. I suggest to start on another reference.You are not slow, really, you made already a big progress . And remember the "learning curve", its always slow in the beginning. But I think you will progress much faster from now on.

[Suisei]

Wow really? Awesome! I'm quite proud myself. I just have to keep double checking with a ruler ,I guess, and then I'll be fine! : D

Hmm not sure if I can do one of the other pictures since it's not just cubes though but I'll try.

[arnoud3272]

Originally Posted by Suisei

...
Hmm not sure if I can do one of the other pictures since it's not just cubes though but I'll try.

This class is so important because many complicated forms can be conceived as drawn inside one or more cubes - well, rectangular parallelepipeds to be mathematically correct . So when in doubt about the correct orientation, sketch the cube(s) correctly, then draw the object inside.

[Suisei]

I think I understood what you meant. Well here's my first try at the silo.

It still looks crooked at the bottom but I think that's because I did the bottom part first.

Also I had trouble with the top part.

[arnoud3272]

Good job, Catherine .
Yes, there are errors in it, but I think we'd better skip it. To be able to draw realistically, you need to "read" the 3D form represented by the flat form on your paper. That is difficult to learn by copying 2D references. My suggestion is to draw from life, look for "cubic" objects in your environment and draw them. Never mind to post photo references together with your drawing. Expressing the feeling of a 3D object in your drawing is more important than an exact copy.

[Suisei]

Oh okay! I'll try and look around the house for some!