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July 19, 2004
JUDGING PROPORTION
Ian Sidaway
In order to draw accurately, you need to be able to assess the relative proportion of an object, and how this relates to its surroundings and position in space. To do this, artists take measurements. The distance between two points is usually measured by holding out a drawing implement at arm's length.
The artist looks past the pencil to the subject and aligns the top of the pencil with a point on the subject, the top of the head for example, then slides his or her thumb up or down to indicate another point, perhaps the tip of the chin. The thumb is kept in this position, and the "unit" is then used to estimate the length or height of the complete figure, or the length of an arm or leg. A person's head might equal one "unit" and their entire body might be 7 "units" high. These measurements are then transferred to the drawing. To make a drawing larger or smaller, change the size of the unit on your drawing surface; as long as you are consistent, the measurements should be correct. Never take anything for granted! Always make a few simple measurements of any subject and be guided by what you see and your measurements rather than what you might assume is the correct proportion.
Posted by Pamela at July 19, 2004 07:35 PM