Course Highlights


Sketching Cube Based Objects

If you take a minute to look around, you will see that there are many objects partially or fully constructed with a cube. The following are a small fraction of the things you will be able to draw once you have practiced drawing and altering the basic shape: TV., table, speakers, tissue box, suitcase, filing cabinet, fridge, and bed. They may not be perfect equilateral cubes but they´ll share the same characteristics of a cube (i.e. top, bottom, and four sides) whether they're long, narrow, thin, short, wide or thick. To get things started, we are going to sketch a simple bottle of cologne drawn in 1pt perspective. This will be followed by a speaker drawn in 2pt perspective. Before we begin, be sure to note the following tips:

Always work from largest to smallest shapes

In any drawing, first establish the large planes and dimensions correctly. Following this, you can subdivide these larger shapes into smaller ones, and these in turn can be divided again until you are left rendering the smallest details. This will allow you to establish proper proportions, by comparing the dimensions of one component to the dimensions of another in an orderly step by step fashion. For example, if you are drawing a CD rack, it's overall cubic proportions must be established first, then the size of each rack/slot, followed by the dimensions of the CDs, and finally any identifying details on the side labels of each CD.

Making Necessary Adjustments

Drawing in perspective requires a great deal of practice in establishing accurate proportions. This will involve some trial and error so expect to draw many incorrect lines. However, as you search for the correct width, height, or depth of a plane, do not erase the inaccurate lines. Instead, use them to help you establish the correct lines - you'll find they will come in handy as reference points. What is more, it is extremely important to train your eyes to observe and assess correct relationships; skills best learned by working through the process in this manner. Once you begin to erase, your means of comparing correct to incorrect shapes and proportions are lost. When you are satisfied that you have rendered the shape, properly proportioned in perspective, emphasize these lines and erase any incorrect lines. Alternatively, you can trace the accurate lines onto a fresh piece of paper and proceed from here.

Adjusting Shapes

Objects will rarely assume perfect geometric shapes. As such, after sketching in the outline of the basic shape in proportion, you will need to make adjustments. For instance to the length or width of a single plane or perhaps the style of an edge from straight to rounded. Ask yourself how much the shape bends, expands, flattens, curves and so forth from its perfect geometric base. You will see that there are many potential modifications to the basic geometric shapes but with practice, you will slowly develop your eye, first identifying the core structure and then the required adjustments.

Exercise 1: Sketch the following bottle of cologne



Exercise 2: Sketch a standard speaker

Other pages of interest

Establishing the horizon line
Drawing a cube in perspective
Taking drawing perspective a step further
Sketching cube based objects
Sketching spherical objects





 


 

 

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