Perspective: The Dreaded Ellipse, Part II

The only thing that makes drawing ellipses seem easy is drawing ellipses in perspective.  Circles are one of the most difficult things to render in correctly because they have no corners from which to measure lines of perspective.  But by combining your knowledge of drawing ellipses with the use of a handy little perspective trick, circles can become the centerpieces of your perspective drawings.

Bernie Fuchs, Advertising Illustration

Perspective: X Marks the Center

Perspective is merely a trick to help create realistic-looking three dimensional space on a two dimensional surface.  One, two and three point perspectives are very good tools for creating this sense of depth.  However, within the basic rules of perspective there are little tricks to help you calculate distance of specific objects that can’t be measured by using a vanishing point.  Little things like these can turn a good drawing into a realistic drawing. 

Edgar Degas, The Dance Foyer at the Opera on the Rue le Peletier, 1872

Drawing: Portraits, Part II

In Portraits, Part I I discussed how to set up and begin a charcoal portrait drawing.  Once you have placed and refined all of the shadow shapes to form the features of the face, you’re ready to move on to a much greater level of detail in the quest for a finished product.

Drawing: Exquisite Corpse

Here’s something a little different than usual.  Unlike the regular posts on Bright Red Brush which will help develop and refine your artistic skill, this one will exercise your creativity.  And who better to do so than the Surrealists?

Brauner, Herold, Tanguy, Ubac, Untitled, 1938

Watercolor: Gradients

One of the unique qualities of watercolor is its softness.  It’s a medium made for blending.  However, controlling a watercolor blend can be very challenging, especially complex blends such as gradients.  Let’s look at how to create a gradient with watercolor.

David Wiesner, Flotsom