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U3 01 Simplifying Shapes Guide

This document provides guidance on simplifying shapes in illustration. It advises analyzing shapes as sharp, pointed, or curved. Consider whether the image works best with sharp or curved lines based on legibility. Illustration relies on being easily understood quickly. The tips suggest observing reference images, creating simple shapes seen, and drawing from memory to develop a unique artistic style focused on the viewer's understanding.

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Muhammad Bobby Bangsawan
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
125 views

U3 01 Simplifying Shapes Guide

This document provides guidance on simplifying shapes in illustration. It advises analyzing shapes as sharp, pointed, or curved. Consider whether the image works best with sharp or curved lines based on legibility. Illustration relies on being easily understood quickly. The tips suggest observing reference images, creating simple shapes seen, and drawing from memory to develop a unique artistic style focused on the viewer's understanding.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Bobby Bangsawan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lucy Fleming

Simplifying
Shapes
Guide
Analyse the Shapes
This method of stylisation is useful in illustrative art, but it’s
also magical because it relies on your own unique talent
for observation.

You may pick out shapes and details that someone else
may see differently. This allows you to build a style
authentic to your own eye - meaning, there’ll be nothing
you won’t be able to draw in your style.

Begin by looking at the shapes you see. Are they sharp,


pointed or curved?

Does the image you want to create work best with sharp
or geometric lines? Or is it soft and curved?

An illustration often works well when it takes into


consideration legibility. This means, how easy it is for the
audience (even in a split second) to be able to understand
what they’re seeing.

For example: Drawing plants that are very realistic can


sometimes mean we lose legibility. Sometimes, things in
reality don’t look like we’d expect them to. In classical
painting it is important to draw things as they are,
and not as we expect them to be, but in illustration
we embrace the shapes we expect to see.

Illustration, is often viewed commercially, at a distance or


quickly. It is designed to be clear and easy to understand
in seconds.
2

Tip: Once you have drawn the simple shapes from the
Let’s Begin… reference, draw it again from your first drawing or from
memory.
Any reference image will do.
Firstly: Observe

Secondly: Create the shapes you see

The method can then be used to break dominance in the image. I draw vertical
down any shapes, or even overall lines on the roof because I noticed the
compositions like I have done here. corrugated steel.

These are some very quick sketches I What details do you notice that I did In the cliff sketch, I look at shape and values,
have created, my observations, and not? and how I can express that, both with my
in uences from the images would be artistic limitations, but also in a way that is
different from yours. Be selective about what is an isn’t interesting to me.
important to your drawing.
It’s important to begin to trust, and
understand your own artistic eye. Begin your thumbnails as though
you are storyboarding an animation,
When I drew the little red house, it learning your own visual language is
transpired it took up more of the frame messy - and neatness can come
than it actually does in the photograph, later!
perhaps this is because I perceive it’s

4
fl

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