6 Principles to Help You Draw
You can create just about any artwork of you can get the position, angles, size, color and value correct. Reproducing a reference can be just as calculated as a math equation. Of course, getting all of these just how we want them is much easier said than done but with enough patience and desire to get it right you can create it. Here are 6 principles to help you improve your artwork.
Measuring — There are three levels of measuring you can attempt. You can precisely measure something with a ruler, use a paper and mark the start and end of shapes, or tape the reference to a wall and measure it with your pencil. In each of these concepts the underlying principle is that you choose a standard. A standard is one measurement that is the mean size of all the rest against which you can compare other all other measurements. This is useful because you will constantly use the same measurement throughout the piece. Using collective comparative ratios, you can determine accurate size.
Alignment — Use plumb lines to determine where to position your elements. You can think of these in the same way that carpenters use a level to make sure things are perfectly flat.
You may also choose to use guides by breaking the image into a grid or drawing an x between each corner of the reference to help you identify alignment.
Perspective — Perspective is more than just the concept of a horizon line and vanishing points. It is a strategy for creating the illusion of three dimentions. Use one point perspective when the form is perfectly facing you. Use two-point perspective when the form is at an angle. If the angles of forms do not match up use separate vanishing points. The Horizon line is also known as the eye level. At this level forms appear as flat two dimentional objects. There is also a line for the position of the viewer that matches the x-axis as well. These lines determine how much of the side of the form you see. For example, a cylinder will appear skinny when it is near the horizon line.
Positive and negative shapes — The shapes for the emphesised parts of the art are positive shapes. Shapes that fade into the background or go between the positive shapes are negative shapes. It is important to measure both positive and negative shapes. These shapes can be discovered using the plumb lines mentioned previously. Using plumb lines to discover the negative shapes will allow you to understand and use accurate angles based on a reference.
Studies— By creating a study we can create our own scale or reference for determining what is accurate regarding color and value. Starting with value, we can create a 9-point value scale of equally spaced values using the medium intended for the artwork. We can them drag the scale across the reference and mark what number on the scale it is. We can place the reference next to the art with the edge with the value needed immidiately next to where it should be placed to determine if it needs to be darkened or lightened. Squinting can help us see when values are too close to each other. Using this same concept of studies, we can create a scale for determining when one color has a stronger hue, saturation, or brightness.
Constraints and Decoupling — When we establish constraints/limitations for the art we are to create, we reduce cognitive complexity and allow ourselves to start trying and accepting ideas sooner. Limitations help us know when we are within the needs of our goal. Decoupling ourselves from our artwork means not growing too attached to it. Yes we need to be patient and spend a lot of time on it, however, we need to seek to fail first. Your first version will not be your best. When writing a professional story you would not publish a rough draft. Similarly, you should follow a process for quickly getting ideas out of your head and onto the paper. I try to include on my process word lists, mental mapping, finding references, sketching, and finalizing. Get feedback and improve on your next attempt.
Once you are ready for your “final draft” then follow the principle to “measure twice, cut once.” In other words, take time to get the position, angles, and sizes correct when you have a found the right working design.
What makes artists successful is their attention to detail, commitment and patience to making a piece work. While you will not create perfect artwork in a day (at least not as a beginner) you should now know art is not magic. Work makes talent when talent doesn’t work hard. Now go out there and try out these principles on your next artwork. I wish you success on your artistic journey!