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Foreshortening Foreshortening  is basically an optical illusion created from a compressed looking drawing in  perspective . This perspective is  distorted  in order to create a false sense of depth, and is used a lot in comics – Like Superman flying with his outstretched arm coming out of the page, or a fist connecting with a villain’s face, etc. These drawings you see that appear to come off the page use some form of  foreshortening  to create that illusion. Note how the size of the hands get bigger as they get closer and the arms get smaller.  Here is a another simple tutorial by Gene Kelly:

Cross Contour Drawing Essentially, cross contour drawing is a technique that takes the line that you are creating across the contours of the form, crossing over both horizontally and vertically. An object is viewed from a particular angle and represented in a linear fashion  so that it appears three dimensional on paper.  Topography Imagine a mold that has been designed to fit the complex contours of your face. It must cover all the angles, raised and inverted, and carry the planes created by your facial features. Drawing an object using cross contour will map out all the details of an object, much like a grid. Every object carries its own unique topographical stamp that can be illustrated with pen or pencil. Imagination Chances are, you don't need a busy configuration of lines to suggest the form of an apple in a drawing. Your imagination has already taken the cues of the apple's outline and stem to understand that this is an apple. While practicing this technique, ...

Blind Contour  Blind Contour drawing is a favourite with drawing teachers to develop hand-eye communication. Contour drawing is essentially outline drawing, and blind contour drawing means drawing the outline of the subject without looking at the paper. The end result doesn't matter - what is important is carefully observing the subject. I prefer to slightly stretch the meaning of 'contour' to include lines generally, so that from time to time the line will wander across the form and back out again, capturing little details along the way. In this exercise, avoid lifting the pencil from the paper so that the line is as continuous as possible, and most importantly, DON'T PEEK! If need be, work with your sketchbook under the table. If drawing on loose paper, you may need to tape it in place. The Aim:  Practice following contours with hand and eye.

What is Composition?  Composition is the placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a work of art or photograph, as distinct from the subject of a work. You can think of it as the organization of design, form, ordering, or formal structure.   How can we make good compositions? Here are a few things to think about and remember Negative space Positive space View point or perspective Focus Rule of 3rd Rhythm Lighting Contrast Repetition Breaking the rules: tension or unease Color I also like to relate it to other mediums like music or dance to help me remember. 

Negative Space When most people draw, they approach it as an “object-oriented” exercise. Thats because we are  generally  drawing  an object, which occupies a certain space within a room. There it sits - boom - simple. Well, it’s not really that simple. There are other forces at work here. If you look beyond the space beyond the thing you are  drawing it  creates interesting negative shapes, planes, and edges where the lines of the space intersect . Looking Beyond the Object Beyond the object, walls create shapes, table legs create shapes, lamps create shapes, easels create shapes  and shadows from these items create shapes. They also create holes in space (think of it as the air between the objects or through the objects).  These have a definitive form, and when they intersect the thing we are  drawing, they give  us landmarks for our overall picture plane, which helps to unite it and make for a more  cohesive drawing (one that doesn’t ...

 Sighting A good way to make accurate drawings is to use this simple method of checking everything your doing. Drawing or representing a 3-Dimensional form on a  2-Dimensional surface requires, in essence, a language translation. Always keep your arm fully extended.  Close one eye.  Look for comparisons.  Work from general to specific. (keep it simple) Axis points Horizontal  Vertical Compare other objects Unit of Measure / Comparisons  Applications of Sighting  Relative Proportions Angles and Axis Points Vertical or Horizontal Alignments

What IS LINE? Kinds of Line  Vertical  Horizontal   Diagonal   Zigzag   Curved Variations in Line- add interest to your lines  Length  Width  Texture Line Quality or line weight: Refers to the thickness or thinness of a line. By varying the line quality artists can make objects appear more 3-Dimensional and more interesting.

UVU ART 1020    Instructor: Travis Petersen Course Description  For non-art majors. Introductory class to drawing, its formal elements and the fundamental principles of design. Exploring the basic techniques of drawing using a variety of media.  OPTIONAL TEXT:  A GUIDE TO DRAWING by Faber and Mendelowitz Course Objectives  Proficiency in observational skills, visual and mechanical measuring techniques, chiaroscuro, and an understanding of the basics of composition. To explore abstraction and non-objective imagery  Understanding terms and vocabulary.  Topics include: Composition, Line, Gesture, Shape / Form, Value, Texture, Perspective, Expectations Come to class on time ready to draw.  Be respectful to me and those around you. Quiet talking, smelly food, cleanliness, listening, etc. No cell phones, if you need to make or answer a call step out of the class. No homework from other classes. Clean up, this includes personal supplies, class room...