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Simple Ideas for Breaking the Dangerous Icons in Your
Art
You may
be surprised by what I am about to tell you, at least partly. The two lines
with the least variation are a perfectly straight line and a circle. A
perfectly straight line has obviously no variety at all. But the circle, you
ask? Yes, the circle. A circle curves at exactly the same ratio all along, has
no variation of its curvature, it is of all curves the one with the least
possible variety. These two lines are, therefore, two of the dullest, and are rarely
used in drawings except to enhance the beauty and variety of other lines.
So why
is this important to artists? Especially
artists who are drawing the figure? Well, to answer that let’s look back to
elementary school. When in grade school,
how did you draw a person? Using
circles, I dare say! Well, let’s
investigate this further.
The
perfect curve of the circle should always be avoided in the drawing of natural
objects (even a full moon or an outline of a head), and in drawings of any
kind, some varietion should always be used. Always, Always.
Although
the curve of the perfect circle is dull from its lack of variety, it is not
without beauty, and this is due to its perfect unity. It is of all curves the
most perfect example of static unity. Without the excitement of the slightest
variation it goes on and on for ever.
This is where the symbol of Eternity comes from and why today we wear
circular wedding rings and so forth.
Perhaps
the most beautiful symmetrically curved figure of all is the so-called egg. It
is an example of perfect balance between variety and unity. The curvature is
varied
to an infinite degree, at no point is its curving at the same ratio as at any other
point; perhaps the maximum amount of variety that can be got in a symmetrical
figure, for it approaches the circle in the even flow of its curvature. This
is, the line of the contour of a face, and you may note how much artists who
have excelled have insisted on it in their portraits.
So,
what am I getting at? The point is,
sometimes as artists, it’s easy to fall into traps of the icons. Using a football shape for the eye a circle
for the head. Variation in line needs to
be observed more to provide the individuality of the person when drawing the
figure.
To do
this, will take some practice and more practice. You will need to turn your paper upside down,
sideways, anyway possible to get you out of your head of association. Association meaning habits. It’s sometimes hard to break the patterns of
icons but can be done.
If you
have any questions on figure drawing or breaking out of iconic drawing, please
feel free to email us at: info@learning2draw.com.
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