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Approaches & Aspects

Approaches To Drawing

"Mechanical Drawing" is anything that is assisted by a tool (e.g.: Ruler / Straight-edge, Drafting Compass, Proportional Dividers, Triangles, Stencils, tracing photos with Tracing Paper / Projectors / Light Boxes / Pinhole Cameras / Camera Lucidas / etc.). It is distinct from "Free-Hand Drawing", which uses only the hands and a drawing implement.

"Observational Drawing" is to draw from life or a photo reference. It requires the Sighting of lengths, angles, and proportions. It is distinct from "Constructive Drawing", which is to build or "sculpt" with Primitive Forms in the Imagination. Some common Primitive Forms are the Cube, Sphere, Cylinder, Cone, Rectangular Prism, Square Pyramid, Inclined Plane, and Ring Torus.

Both approaches require an understanding of Perspective. They can also be combined. For example, one can try to construct the image in a photo that they are observing by sculpting it with Primitive Forms within their imagination. [As an aside, one should always do this when encountering a photo reference. Do not get into the habit of copying without thinking.]

Aspects of Art Knowledge

We will define four different aspects to art knowledge:

• Technique - This is the handling / control of instruments, such as how you hold a pencil. It is more concerned with body mechanics.
• Method - This is how different mediums are used - e.g.: Graphite, Ink, Charcoal, Pastel, Oil, Acrylic, Gouache, Watercolor, etc.
• Theory - This is all the knowledge related to putting together images (e.g.: Shape & Form, Proportion, Perspective, Light & Shadow, Artistic Anatomy, Composition, Color Theory, etc.)
• Appreciation - This is the awareness of the works of various artists and art movements throughout history.

To train the first three aspects, we will focus on the following:
• Practicing Hand Skill → Condition Technique & Method Into Habit
• Practicing Eye Skill → Learn Theory & Observe
• Practicing Hand Skill + Eye Skill Together → Hand-Eye Cordination