Intro
This week we are observing natural human proportions, concentrating particularly on the head and face. Read Betty Edwards' Chapter 9, “Drawing a Profile Portrait”, pages 166-201 in preparation for this week's exercises. Note her re-emphasis on:
- focussing on complex edges and negative spaces
- estimating angles with reference to the vertical and horizontal
- drawing what you see, not what you think you know or remember
- estimating relationships of scale
- concentrating on the perception of proportions as they really are.
Exercise 6.1: Observation of frontal and profile heads, and filling in “blanks”
For instructions refer to the prescribed text (Edwards, 2012) pages 180-185.
Also refer to the full-face view diagram (Fig. 10-11) on page 213.
Objectives
Practice measuring proportions of the head using your pencil and translate these to a sketches of oval “blanks”.
For Assessment 1, Exercise 6.1 submit a schematic profile like figure 9-20 on page 185.
Exercise 6.2: Copying a successful portrait example
For full instructions refer to the prescribed text (Edwards, 2012) pages 187-190.
Objectives
Observe shapes, spaces, angles, proportions and relationships between them in order to faithfully reproduce them.
For Assessment 1, Exercise 6.2 submit a copy of Sargent's profile portrait of Madame Gautreau.
Exercise 6.3: Profile portrait of a person
For full instructions refer to the prescribed text (Edwards, 2012) pages 190-199.
Objectives
Use the compositional, measurement and proportional estimation techniques you have been learning to produce a lifelike line sketch of a person in profile.
For Assessment 1, Exercise 6.3 submit your riginal profile portrait of a person.