Experimenting with shapes, proportions and perspectives

Understanding Shapes

Basic shapes: Starting with simple shapes like squares, circles, and triangles can help to break down complex forms.
Abstract shapes: Remember that not all art mirrors reality - abstract shapes are often expressive and communicate ideas or emotions.
Positive and negative shapes: Experimenting with both the object (positive space) and the area around it (negative space) can drastically change the composition.

Proportions in Art

Human proportions: The human body is often represented in proportions, for example, the average body is eight ‘heads’ tall.
Scale distortion: Playing around with the scale of different objects within a composition for dramatic or humorous effect can lead to interesting results.
Perspective scaling: Objects in the distance appear smaller. This perception of depth or distance is key to understand for creating realistic artwork.

Working with Perspective

Linear Perspective: Utilising converging lines that meet at a vanishing point to give an illusion of depth on a two-dimensional surface.
Aerial Perspective: Also known as Atmospheric Perspective, this refers to the effect the atmosphere has on the appearance of an object as it is viewed from a distance.
Foreshortening: A form of perspective used to create an illusion of an object receding strongly into the distance or background.
Multi-Point Perspective: Not all scenes correspond to one-point or two-point perspective. Scenes with complex shapes or angles may require three-point or multi-point perspective.

Implementing Shapes, Proportions, and Perspectives

Thumbnail Sketches: Small, quick sketches done to experiment with composition, perspective, and proportions before committing to larger works.
Creative Exploration: Encouraging experimentation with these techniques and not being afraid of making mistakes – it’s all part of the learning process.
Analysing Artwork: Studying the work of professional artists, noting how they use shapes, proportions, and perspectives can provide inspiration and deepen understanding.

Remember, mastery of these techniques comes with practice, so keep refining your work and don’t be discouraged by initial difficulty. These elements are fundamental for creating a convincing sense of space and depth in your artwork.