RGB' s BASIC DRAWING TECHNIQUES

Understanding Perspective Drawing

The scientists have dissected and explained about the parts of the human eye inside and out, how the
retina captures the image and all. A camera, be it "instamatic" or with zoom lens, is a perfect replica of
the human eye in capturing an image. Well, except for the fact that the ours does not need a darkroom.
To take matters simple, the we see depth and solidity. In the Computer Age lingo, let us call it 3D (3-
dimensional) view. In a more technical term, if we draw a Cartesian plane where we assign x and y axes
respectively, any polygon that lies flat on these axes are considered 2D (2-dimensional). A flat
representation of one side of a solid object is called an ELEVATION.

2-dimensional Side Elevation

Meanwhile, if you are walking or driving on a road, the two parallel curbs seem to converge into a
certain point. The point where these two parallel lines meet is called the vanishing point.

The horizon line lies at the eye level, while the VANISHING POINT lies anywhere in the horizon where the two parallel curbs converge.
(Photograph taken by James)
The vanishing points always lie at the horizon. And the horizon is always at a persons eye level.
Whether you sit of stand or go to an apex of a building, the horizon remains at the eye level. The point
where the person stands is called as the station point. OBSERVE the figure above. The station point of
the viewer is at the right side of the driver.
Experiment and cut a picture from a magazine and trace the vanishing points. This is the BIG outcome.
(See figure below)
A picture with 2-point perspective showing the 2 Vanishing Points (VP) and the horizon line. (Photograph taken by James)
The figure above is a MAN'S EYE VIEW while the photograph below is a BIRD'S EYE VIEW. Usually,
aerial photos have three (3) or more vanishing points but all located in the same horizon.

Birds eye view somewhere in Narita, Japan (Photograph taken by James )

Perspective is natural to the eye but one of the hardest tasks I find in a drawing board. Applying it
manually involves setting up a large sheet of paper, generous space and meticulous checking of
accurate construction lines, otherwise, the drawing will surely look lopsided and imprecise. The principle
of perspective drawing is like standing on a picture window and seeing the surrounding as is. Assume
that you are looking at landscape scenery framed by a clear glass window. If you try to trace what you
exactly see, the drawing is surely at an accurate delineation. The application of that is shown in the link
below...

Click this thumbnail to see how Perspective Drawing is done in a drafting table
Since my objective here is to give just a general idea on solid drawings, I will not deal further with its
complications. So I will set aside and concentrate on the practical side of its freehand drawing
application.
There are several techniques you can do to at least enhance a drawing and make it appear proportional
and balance.

Draw on a cube. Yes, why not try to put drawings in solid cubes?
 Centering techniques. If you are conspicuous about the symmetry of your drawing, try this:
Draw an x to find the center of a plane. See figure above.
In drawing a crowd, notice that all the eyes fall at a common eye level. Just adjust the proportion
of the head depending on how it is to the viewer. See the figure below:

THE POINT IS:

Why do I need to talk about this things when it is mostly considered in drafting? The point is this, when
drawing anything, one must always consider solidity and surface bumps which can only be achieved
when one knows the idea of Perspective. One must see through to imagine what is actually seen. The
points where parallel lines vanish; the gradation of colors as the effect of distance; the highlights and
shadows and its angles. As the object gets far from the line of sight, it becomes smaller and blurred
until it appears insignificant. The color becomes lighter and the outlines indistinct. So therefore,
Perspective drawing is crucial in effective freehand drawing and painting.

Perspectives and Computers

If you are using Computer Aided Drafting or dealing with a 3D computer design software (unfortunately
I must not advertise a software example), the eye must be trained to perceive the z-coordinate of a
plane. That is, if x-y coordinates are at a right angle (90 degrees) lying flatly on the computer screen
like letter "L", the positive z-axis values are pointing towards you (see below). I remember my first
experience on 3D, when the user coordinates in the computer started to rotate before my eyes, my head
seems to reel also. It was very hard!
Look at this hand. Assume that the thumb is the z-axis
If you do perspective delineation on the drawing table, everything is manually laid and the tracing
sheets are generously filled with lines. Everything is manual. In the computer, the 3D model is
controlled by the user-coordinates and once composed, it could be flipped at different pleasing angles.
Thus, the computers efficiency is that it resembles a studio with a camera that one could just turn the
perspective on and off (as isometric). Since the computer simulates a model in its actual scaled size,
everything perceived as solid could actually be assumed as "virtual" sculpture.