The Perspective: (6) SIMPLE VOLUMES, DECOMPOSITION & CONCLUSION
In this final part of our perspective mini-guide, we explore simple volumes built from the cube, how to deform them, how to decompose complex objects into basic volumes, the example of the eyes, and we conclude the guide.
Simple Volumes Built from the Cube
The sphere, for which there is no edge, is generally represented by 3 parallel circles, each tangent to two faces of the cube and to the center of the 4 other faces.
Simple Volumes Deformed
Fortunately, we can apply simple transformations to these volumes to give them much more varied shapes adapted to our needs.
Decomposition of Objects into Simple Volumes
The difficulty will mainly be found in the representation of the spatial orientations of the various parts of the leg. The advantage of this method is that it will then allow us to construct the subject in a position or orientation different from that of the model (To succeed in such a drawing, it would have been necessary to have several references showing the animal in different positions and from different angles. Here, I made an interpretation from a single photo… and therefore “interpreted” what I saw in 2D as a position in 3D).
The Example of the Eyes
The eyes often pose big problems for amateur drawers. We can simply conceive them as two spheres of the same size separated by a third sphere that is barely larger. The numerical information varies from one individual to another. The pupil in particular can vary, depending on the circumstances, from half to double the mentioned value.
The rotation of an eye is done quite easily since we know how to represent a sphere in a cube.
A 2 vanishing points gaze will not pose a problem.
We can even orient the gaze simply by tilting the iris and pupil. Attention, the pupil is recessed in relation to the surface of the eye. We must therefore take this into account, because the ellipse that represents it will not be concentric with the ellipse representing the iris.
We can of course draw the two eyes as we wish, even with 3 vanishing points, but it is more complicated.
Conclusion
After reading this mini-guide, you now have all the keys to understand perspective in a drawing, an image, a photograph or a real visual scene.
You can construct the structure that will allow you to draw an object in perspective (line of vision, vanishing points…).
You know how to draw a cube in perspective with one, two or three vanishing points, subdivide a cube into equal parts, draw all the forms that derive from the cube, and draw circles in perspective.
Perspective is now no longer a mystery. Practice regularly, observe the world around you, and your drawings will gain incredible depth and realism.
This guide is free and royalty-free. Feel free to share it. Thank you for reading!
End of the Mini-Guide. Thank you for reading! Practice these principles daily and your drawings will reach a new professional level of realism and depth.