In this chapter, we will discuss the nature and drawing of circles in perspective, called ellipses. We will discuss practical techniques that are intended to aid the beginning drawing student in a fairly straightforward and accurate discussion and demonstration. Remember: Good drawing comes with a lot of practice, so once you understand what ellipses are—and how to draw them—practice whenever you are able. Nothing gives away an artist’s deficiencies more quickly than a drawing with poorly constructed ellipses; even to the untrained eye, lack of accuracy in drawn ellipses can usually be spotted, although the viewer may not quite understand what is wrong with the picture or how to fix the problem.
An ellipse is a circle in perspective. It sounds simple, yet many artists find it challenging to accurately draw them. Once you learn some simple rules and properties of ellipses, the mysteries will be revealed, and you can successfully and easily render them.
We see ellipses in objects all around us—rims of cups, bowls, and other cylindrical objects; wheels on cars, bicycles, and roller skates, etc. Observed straight on, these forms are circular, but it is much more common to see them at angles. Therefore, it is in the artist’s best interest to learn as much as possible about ellipses.
One of the most important elements that dictates how we see the shape of an ellipse is its relationship to eye level. Knowledge of eye level and its location is a key component in almost every drawing, but especially in regard to ellipses.
All circles fit into a square. When drawing an ellipse, first visualize a circle within a square and then project it into perspective to observe the foreshortening that occurs. The circle is divided into equal quadrants by a horizontal axis and vertical axis. Notice what happens when the square and circle are projected into perspective space: The horizontal axis shortens in width, and the vertical axis shortens in height.
On this bottle, the horizontal axis is the major axis of the ellipse (red line). The vertical axis is the major axis of the bottle, but it is the minor axis of the ellipse (blue line). These axes are always at right angles to each other when a symmetrical object stands up straight on the ground plane. The major axis, or midline, of the bottle coincides with the ellipse’s minor axis and is perpendicular to the ellipse’s major axis. This is the rule when any symmetrical object’s base rests on the ground plane, such as the still-life objects in the image below.
Ellipses can be explained in degrees of angle to the viewer’s eye level, with 90˚ equal to a true circle and 0˚ when the ellipse is viewed at eye level. As an ellipse moves toward eye level, the length of the minor (vertical) axis is reduced. As an ellipse moves away from eye level, the length of the minor axis increases. Ellipses that are parallel to each other, or in similar locations horizontally, will have very similar size ratios (see image below).
As a circular object moves away from standing vertically on the ground plane, there are similarities and differences to the ellipses that we have already discussed.
Study this photograph of four pots resting horizontally on the ground. Notice that the pot farthest from the viewer has an ellipse for its rim that is almost a straight line; as the pots rotate around the ground plane toward the viewer, the ellipse of the rim rounds out more with each successive rotation toward the viewer.
Also note that the pots tend to shift away from eye level and farther down on the picture plane. The center midline axes of the pots also present more of a perspective angle to the viewer. These midline axes are directly related to the perspective angle of the side of each pot, bisecting its symmetry.
There are many ways to transfer a preliminary drawing to art paper for the final rendering. The method you choose depends on what type of paper is used, the value of the paper, and what type of final media will be used for rendering. Here is a technique for this type of project, which will be black-and-white colored pencil on dark gray toned art paper.
For your homework assignment, set up a simple still life (two or three objects), using glass and reflective-surface subjects. Create a line drawing using all the techniques for measuring and symmetry you’ve learned in this chapter. You’ll find it helpful to use objects of differing sizes and shapes.
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