I. Relationship Is an Extremely Useful Tool to Use to Develop Correct Proportions And

Relationship

Drawing I

I. Relationship is an extremely useful tool to use to develop correct proportions and placement of lines. In a drawing, when combined with contour, objects can be drawn correctly and accurately.

II. In the early stages of a drawing, it is important to determine the correct sizes for different parts of an object or objects.

A. An example would be drawing a person and making the head smaller in proportion than the shoulders.

B. An easy way to determine correct proportion is by the use of squinting.

C. By squinting a person minimizes unnecessary detail so that areas of color and tone can be seen in relative size.

III. One of the most important drawing skills that one can develop is the ability to see and draw angles.

A. Understanding angles is important because they add strength to a drawing because of the emphasis on movement and directional change.

B. To understand an angle’s direction, just place a straight diagonal line next to the angle.

C. This can be done by holding a pencil out from the eye and lining it up, visually next to the angle.

1. By closing one eye and squinting, the juxtaposition of the pencil next to the angle will describe the angle.

2. You may want to place the pencil at a vertical to the object in order to compare the angle to a vertical.

IV. A vertical line can also be a useful tool in developing the correct placement of lines and areas in relationship to one another.

A. A vertical line can be placed over objects in order to compare their relationship to one another.

B. By the line crossing different parts of the object or model, it will allow the artist to determine the correct relationship of the parts to one another.

C. A vertical line can be placed anywhere in a composition to determine correct placement and relationship of the parts.

V. Size of a line or area can be determined by holding up the vertical (pencil) and marking its size visually on the pencil and comparing it to known sizes.

VI. The above principles work with horizontal lines, as well.

VII. With the use of verticals and horizontals, one can constantly check and recheck a drawing.

VIII. When objects are next to each other, or their contours touch, relationship can be used to determine the correct position of objects.

A. First, draw the nearest object.

1. This object will be lowest on the paper, if the eye level is above the object.

2. If the objects are the same size, this will also be the largest form, as forms become smaller as they recede towards the horizon line.

B. Use this object to place the rest of the objects in their correct relationship to one another.

1. If one object’s contour touches another, determine where that point is and connect the two forms at that point.

2. If the objects are not touching, then use your pencil as a guide to determine where the objects would line up with one another by extending imaginary lines as described earlier.

IX. Example: