yvon2

Begin here and here if this is new to you.

This week’s exercise, like the last, is based upon a plate from Adolphe Yvon’s drawing course.

You will notice that in this plate Yvon shows us a more volumetric way of perceiving and drawing the head. He still prefers to flatten the main curves, but not in a way which flattens the shape as a whole.

Your job is to find a different object from what you used last week. Despite the fact that the example above is a head, you should use something far simpler.

This week is almost all about analysis. When observing the object, rather than trying to perceive it in a two-dimensional, cookie-cutter way, try to view the object as something which has volume (which it does). When analyzing, try to ‘see around’ the object, but don’t actually rotate it during the observation period. Notice the cylinder in the upper-left example. See how he is trying to view the head in the same way.

Pay attention to the way the values describe the form and observe which are the darkest, middle and lightest.

When you attempt to draw the object from memory, follow the steps which you see in the example. Draw softly and begin with the large, simple shape. Then, carve down the big shape into smaller ones. Don’t forget to use value to represent form.

Strive for accuracy, not a caricature. If you succeed, memorize another view on the following day, and so on. If it’s a struggle, use the same orientation on each day until you nail it.

Once again, try to take a photograph of each position you memorized. These are, of course, not to be used during the exercises. They are simply a means to help you recall the source at a later date, when you go back over the exercises.


Darren R. Rousar studied privately with Richard Lack and attended Atelier LeSueur, both in Minnesota, as well as Studio Cecil-Graves in Florence, Italy. He was the assistant director and an instructor at Charles Cecil Studios in Florence, after which he became vice president of The Minnesota River School of Fine Art in Burnsville. He has been a professional artist for more than 20 years, focusing mainly on Christian themes. Darren is currently an art teacher, technology coordinator/coach at Providence Academy in Plymouth, MN. He is the author of two books, Cast Drawing Using the Sight-Size Approach and Cast Painting Using the Sight-Size Approach and the producer of a companion DVD, Sight-Size and the Art of Seeing. Through his company, Velatura Press, he republished an expanded edition of E.G. Lutz's 1921 book, Drawing Made Easy.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links on this website are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."


Needables from Amazon