notes:

  • plot with d3 library and python
  • worth opening in another tab since it’s pretty big, not best rendered here
  • this is a static export (svg), but i make use of this in an interactive html version… not sure how to add it here yet
    • tbd! XXX

Observation & Foundation

➤ Line Basics

  • Linework: Make clean distinct clear line stroke.
  • Line Quality: Variation in line weight to show depth or energy.
  • Action/Dynamic Line: A single flowing line capturing the pose’s energy.
  • Contour Drawing: Outlining the edge of a form without lifting the pencil.

➤ Observation & Foundation

  • Observation Skills: Learning to see accurately by drawing what you observe, not what you think you see.
  • Line Basics: Exploring different types of lines to express movement, weight, and shape.
  • Shapes & Forms: Understanding 2D shapes and how they build 3D forms; a basis for everything you draw.
  • Sketching Practices: Daily drawing habits, visual journaling, and loose sketching to improve fluidity and confidence.

➤ Observation Skills

  • Gesture Drawing: Quick sketches capturing motion(movement), flow and posture rather than details.
  • Measuring Techniques: Using tools or reference points to gauge size and angle.

➤ Shapes & Forms

  • 2D Shapes: Basic flat shapes like circles, squares, and triangles.
  • 3D Forms: Solid shapes like cubes, cylinders, and spheres.
  • 3D Vision / Shape Design: From the basic shapes and forms, expand to the 3D space as a whole (=‘baby of Perspective’).

➤ Sketching Practices

  • Hand-eye Coordination: Translate what you see onto the canvas accurately.

Proportion & Anatomy

➤ Anatomy Basics

  • Skeleton Structure: The underlying bone structure that supports the form.
  • Major Muscles: Muscle groups that define the body’s surface shape.
  • Joint Mechanics: How body parts bend and connect in motion.
  • Hands & Feet: Studying challenging body parts through simplified shapes and observation.

➤ Human Proportions

  • Head-to-Body Ratio: Standard measurements used to size the human figure.
  • Landmarks: Fixed body points used to map accurate proportions.
  • Facial Features: Focusing on heads, faces, and expressions to add personality and accuracy.

➤ Proportion & Anatomy

  • Human Proportions: Learning the relative sizes and placement of body parts in a standing pose.
  • Anatomy Basics: Studying muscles and bones to understand how the body moves and bends.

Space & Perspective

➤ Depth Cues

  • Horizon Line: Eye-level reference where sky meets ground.
  • Overlapping & Scale: Using size and position to suggest depth and distance.
  • Atmospheric Perspective: Fading color or contrast to show distance.

➤ Linear Perspective

  • 1-Point Perspective: All lines converge to a single vanishing point.
  • 2-Point Perspective: Lines converge to two points for angled views.
  • 3-Point Perspective: Adds height and dramatic angle with a third point.

➤ Space & Perspective

  • Linear Perspective: Using 1, 2, or 3 vanishing points to draw forms in space accurately.
  • Depth Cues: Techniques to create a sense of space in drawings.

Light & Value

➤ Light & Value

  • Light Logic: Understanding how light interacts with surfaces to produce highlights and shadows.
  • Value Theory: A gradient from dark to light used to represent shadow and illumination.
  • Shading Techniques: Applying values to suggest form and depth.
  • Rendering Techniques: The process of adding light, shadow, and detail to create a realistic or finished look

➤ Light Logic

  • Highlights: Bright areas where light hits directly.
  • Core Shadow: The darkest part of the form’s shadow.
  • Cast Shadow: Shadow cast by an object onto another surface.
  • Reflected Light: Light bouncing off nearby surfaces.

➤ Rendering Techniques

  • Rendering: Finishing a drawing with detail and value.
  • Polishing: Smoothing and refining the final touches.
  • Texturing: Adding visual or tactile surface details.

➤ Shading Techniques

  • Shading: Using value to show form and depth.
  • Hatching: Lines placed in one direction to create shading.
  • Cross-Hatching: Criss-cross lines to build up value.
  • Blending: Softening transitions between values.

➤ Value Theory

  • Value Scale: A range from dark to light values.
  • Value Contrast: The difference between light and dark areas.

Composition & Design

➤ Composition & Design

  • Principles of Design: Guidelines for arranging elements in a visually pleasing way.
  • Layout Techniques: Practical tools for arranging visuals and guiding the eye.

➤ Layout Techniques

  • Rule of Thirds: Dividing space into thirds to place elements of interest off-center.
  • Focal Point: Where you want the viewer to look first.
  • Leading Lines: Lines in a composition that guide the viewer’s gaze.
  • Negative Space: Empty space around the subject to define shape.

➤ Principles of Design

  • Balance: Even distribution of visual weight in a drawing.
  • Element Contrast: Difference in elements to create visual interest.
  • Rhythm: Repeated elements that guide the viewer’s eye.

Tools & Mediums

➤ Dry Media

  • Graphite Pencils: Versatile pencils for sketching and shading.
  • Charcoal: Soft, dark medium for expressive marks.
  • Colored Pencils: Pigmented pencils for layering and detail.

➤ Ink & Pens

  • Fine Liners: Precise pens for outlines and detail.
  • Brush Pens: Flexible tips for dynamic lines and fills.

➤ Mixed Techniques

  • Mixed Media: Combining materials for varied texture and effect.

➤ Tools & Mediums

  • Dry Media: Tools like pencils and charcoal for line and shading.
  • Ink & Pens: Inking tools used for outlines and expressive marks.
  • Wet Media: Paints and liquid tools for washes and layering.
  • Mixed Techniques: Combining tools and materials for variety.

➤ Wet Media

  • Watercolor: Transparent paint great for soft layering.
  • Ink Wash: Diluted ink used for tone and atmosphere.

Stylization & Expression

➤ Developing Style

  • Line Language: How your line choices express personality.
  • Shape Language: Using shapes to suggest character or mood.
  • Mood & Atmosphere: Conveying emotion and tone through style, value, and composition.
  • Personal Style: A consistent, recognizable way of drawing.

➤ Stylization & Expression

  • Stylization Basics: Simplifying or exaggerating form for clarity or emotion.
  • Developing Style: Exploring how to express your unique visual language.

➤ Stylization Basics

  • Cartooning: Simplified, expressive drawing with clear shapes.
  • Abstraction: Reducing realism to emphasize mood, emotion, or design.
  • Exaggerat°/Simplificat°: Altering proportions or features to enhance storytelling or clarity.

Colour Theory

➤ Color Basics

  • Color Wheel: The basic structure of primary, secondary, and tertiary colors.
  • Primary Colors: Red, yellow, and blue — can’t be made by mixing.
  • Complementary Colors: Colors opposite on the wheel that enhance contrast.

➤ Color Harmony

  • Analogous Colors: Colors next to each other for smooth harmony.
  • Triad Colors: Three evenly spaced colors on the wheel.

➤ Colour Theory

  • Color Basics: Foundational knowledge of colors and how they relate.
  • Color Harmony: Using color groupings that are pleasing together.
  • Color Application: Using color to create mood, focus, and realism.

➤ Color Application

  • Value in Color: Lightness or darkness of a color.
  • Saturation: Intensity or dullness of a color.
  • Temperature: Warm or cool feeling of a color.