Basic Cylinder
For my third drawing, I will learn how to draw a cylinder from the book "How to Draw Cool Stuff" by Catherine V. Holmes. According to the book, I need to understand that "a cylinder is a three-dimensional geometric form utilizing line and ellipse" (Holmes 22). This tells me that a cylinder is circle that is projected into three dimensions.Steps:
1. Start by drawing two points.
2. Connect the points with rounded lines to make a thin oval. This oval is called an ellipse. "A circle viewed at an angle; an oval" (Holmes 22).
3. Add 2 vertical lines directed straight down from both points.
4. Connect the base with a curved line.
As you can see, this drawing is very quick and easy. When drawing a cylinder, you must understand perspective. This is "The technique artists use to project an illusion of the three-dimensional world onto a two-dimensional surface" (Holmes 22). It helps to create a sense of depth that allows the object to look three-dimensional.
One thing that was hard for me was shading. I had a hard time making the cylinder's shading look cohesive. The book says you should start with a value scale, which show you the lights and darks of your drawing. Here is an example:
Then you use this diagram to shade the cylinder:
Now here is my attempt:
I can definitely say that it is not my best work. This drawing showed me that I need to improve on my shading. What are ways that I can help develop my shading skills?
Holmes, Catherine V. How to Draw Cool Stuff. N.p.: Library Tales, 2014. Print.
I like how descriptive you were in your procedure and ability to pay attention to detail. I also admire your contrasts from light, medium, to dark. Did you use anything in particular to blend the the contrasts together?
ReplyDeleteHi Nene, I used a paper towel that was wrapped around my finger to blend it in. I recommend using a paper towel or tissue when blending because when you use your finger, the oils make it harder to erase.
DeleteThis blog was very easy to follow step by step and I like how structured it was. I like how you talked about perspective with 3D objects to make it really pop. How does the shading of the color affect the way a 3D object looks?
ReplyDeleteThe shading shows the light that bounces off an object. It helps develop the shape of the object to make it look less 2D.
DeleteHi! I'm not in your class period, but I think I can answer your question on how to improve (warning, this may be rather long. If it is, sorry.).
ReplyDeleteThe thing is, when you blend with your fingertips, you end up losing the value of your shading. So, despite the fact that the book tells you to blend, it's not good to do it so much, if that makes sense. You can still blend with your fingertips, but I think it's rather important to try to blend using your pencil. What Mr. Waldron (and myself, from experience) has taught me is that you should do layers of graphite instead of pressing hard for each value (you can still do that, but the graphite is easier to rub off, which we don't want). For each value that gets darker, add more layers of value 1 (from your value scale). It's also important to note that, when shading, don't outline the shaded area so hard. It kind of screws up your values. Realistically, lines aren't actually lines, but rather shadows, so if you need to outline the shaded area, do it lightly so that you can layer on values easier.
In practice, I think it would be a good idea to sketch out lines while changing line weights/values. Scribble out one long line that changes value, light at the beginning while gradually getting darker, then going back to light. It's also a good idea to actually draw out your value scale, each box with value 1-10 (1 is lightest while 5 is darkest. 6-10 is the same as 1-5, but in opposite order). I'm sure there are other methods, but this is what I did before, along with just trying to replicate a black and white image.
Anyway, what did you enjoy most about this drawing, and how well does your book teach you?
Hey Kimmy, thanks for the tips! I will definitely try these techniques. In drawing, I just enjoy how calming it is. It is a good distraction for me. This book is good for beginners, I don't think it goes into enough depth for advanced artists.
ReplyDelete