Perspective and the next two class meetings:
Today is the less imaginative day when we just get down the basics of
perspective. If you have already learned these basics (say, in a high
school class), I will give you the option of making a CREATIVE one-point
perspective scene today on the computer OR in the classroom with
paper and ruler. Those trying out one-point perspective for the first
time should make a drawing in one of the AHUM hallways that we
typically use to teach one-point perspective.
Next week EVERYONE will have a chance to get creative and make an
imaginary two- point perspective scene that has characters and a
strongly defined light source or sources. Next week’s assignment can be
done EITHER on the computer or on a large white sheet of paper. I ask
that you NOT use color, but stay in the gray scale. If you are not
comfortable with either Illustrator or Photoshop you should use the
conventional paper and ruler. Those choosing to use the computer next
week should create their character on a computer so that it can be
incorporated into the scene. Bring an image of the character in on your
own personal flash drive.
To get started planning next week’s assignment:
1) Think of an interesting character or characters that will not be
rendered as flat or outlined, but which you can draw in a way that
shows value. This character should be your own creation, whether it is
a space alien, spider or human. It cannot be a character that already
exists: no Sponge Bob or Anime Fan Art. Yes, you can have more than
one character. ****Make sure that you can draw this character under an
imagined light source (the sun at high noon directly above the scene or
a night scene lit only by a single flash light coming in from the left hand
side). If you pinpoint the light source you can use value to create
texture and depth. Remember that the character must look three
dimensional with strong value scale, overlapping forms, etc. Look at
this week’s artists for ideas. Light source is essential for creating mood
and story, so consider what the light is coming from (lamp or sun) and
how intense or week it will be. Ask yourself where it will throw
shadow.
2) Think of a setting that will work for two point perspective and which
will also go with your characters. Perhaps giant spiders are living in the
corner of spooky room where the only light is from one small light bulb.
Perhaps a rhino has stopped at the intersection of two streets lit by
street lamps.
Make the setting intriguing in a narrative way. Are the buildings
abandoned warehouses? Is the room a jail cell, a posh hotel room in
Vegas? You are setting a scene for your character/s. The atmosphere
should suggest that something a) is happening b) about to happen, or c)
just happened.
3) If this sounds difficult (and you are a beginner) choose something
fairly simple. Perhaps a single, simple house or room. Still, you should
all push yourself and have fun with this.
4) Your homework for this week is to sketch out several thumbnails
of interesting settings that can use two-point perspective and make
several sketches of your character/s. You should also do the artist
research. Come in knowing your setting and character/s.