How to construct a Head - The Loomis Method

The techniques in this tutorial are based on Andrew Loomis’ renowned book "Drawing the Head and Hands." Loomis, a masterful illustrator, created a method for constructing the head that is both simple and effective, making it a popular choice for artists of all skill levels. While the method itself is straightforward, mastering the drawing of a head involves understanding many complex factors like perspective, proportions, and the structure and placement of individual features. The tutorial aims to guide you through this process step-by-step, emphasizing that consistent practice and attention to detail are key to making progress.

Loomis Head Construction

The Loomis method begins with drawing a ball, which represents the upper part of the head. This ball is divided into four equal parts by drawing a vertical and a horizontal line through its center, forming a cross. These lines serve as guides for placing facial features: the eyebrows align with the cross, the hairline is halfway to the top of the ball, and the nose’s tip is halfway down. This foundational structure helps in achieving accurate proportions and symmetry.

After establishing the basic structure, you can erase the construction lines, leaving a clean outline of the head. The method's simplicity belies its depth, and achieving proficiency can take months of practice. However, once mastered, it enables artists to draw heads from any angle with confidence.

Steps of the Loomis Method

1) The Ball: Start with a ball or sphere representing the cranium. The method uses this simple shape as the starting point, ensuring consistency in drawing heads regardless of pose or perspective.

2) The Cross: Draw a vertical and horizontal line through the ball’s center, forming a cross that marks the direction and orientation of the face. This step requires some understanding of perspective, but practicing with real objects like a basketball can help develop this skill.

3) Flattening the Ball: Loomis recognized that the head is not a perfect sphere. To better represent its shape, imagine slicing off small sections on each side of the ball, creating a “flattened ball” that better approximates the head’s true form.

4) Dividing the Face: The vertical line down the center of the face is divided into equal sections to mark key facial features: the hairline, brow line, nose tip, and chin. These distances are uniform, making it easier to place features accurately.

5) Placing the Ear: With the facial features in place, the ear can be positioned at the back corner of the flattened ball, completing the basic structure of the head.

Key Takeaways

Understanding perspective is crucial to mastering head construction. The cross divides the ball into equal parts, and the spacing between the brow, nose, chin, and hairline is consistent, making the Loomis method both systematic and adaptable.

Loomis emphasized that drawing the head is inherently challenging and requires extensive practice. Artists are encouraged to draw heads repeatedly from reference, correcting and refining their technique over time. By following these steps and maintaining a disciplined practice routine, artists can gradually build their skills and confidence in drawing the human head from any angle.

How to Draw Still Life

 

This step-by-step lesson will teach you the drawing techniques used to create a still life.

Step 1 - Draw Transparent Wire Frames

Begin by drawing the objects as transparent wire frames, with visible lines of construction. This technique helps you fully understand the shape of each form and its position relative to others.

Sketch lightly, as this makes it easier to correct mistakes and erase construction lines. Using vertical and horizontal lines of construction will help you draw convincing ellipses and maintain the symmetry of cylindrical forms.

Once you're satisfied with the shape, proportion, and composition of the still life, you can erase the construction lines, leaving you with accurate outlines and confidence in the placement of each object.

You’re now ready to focus on the details.

Step 2 - Add Details with Line

Next, lightly sketch the shapes of any shadows or reflections on each object. The more accurate you are with these marks, the easier the shading process will be.

Step 3 - Shading: Stage 1

Start shading by lightly applying basic tones to each object, which will help build its three-dimensional form. Pay attention to the spaces between and around the objects, treating the drawing of light and shadow with as much importance as the objects themselves. The shadows cast around and beneath the objects contribute significantly to defining their shapes, just as the shading on their surfaces does.

Notice how the interplay of light and dark between the objects and their surroundings gradually takes over from the initial line work in defining their forms.

Step 4 - Shading: Stage 2

Return your focus to the objects themselves, deepening the tones and increasing the contrast between areas of light and dark. This step enhances the form of the objects and heightens their impact.

At this stage, maintaining a balance of tones across the entire still life is crucial. Strive for unity in tone and form so that no object appears too dark or too light.

Step 5 - Shading: Stage 3

Finally, revisit the spaces between the objects, deepening their tones and enhancing the contrast. Carefully balance the tonal values of the objects and the spaces around them to ensure a cohesive and unified image.

The Finished Still Life

The completed still life should succeed on two levels: as a realistic representation of the group of objects and as a dynamic composition of visual elements, harmonizing and contrasting line, shape, and tone.

Drawing Freehand Ellipses and Circles

 Drawing ovals and circles freehand is a fundamental skill for artists. While circles may seem easier to perfect with practice, drawing an accurate ellipse, or oval freehand, can be more challenging due to the subtleties in their shape and perspective. Understanding the geometry and behavior of ellipses in three-dimensional space can greatly improve your ability to draw them accurately.

An ellipse is essentially a flattened circle, with two axes or diameters: a long diameter and a short diameter, which intersect at the center and form right angles. The ellipse often appears when we observe a circle from an angle, such as when looking down on the opening of a pitcher. In this case, the circular opening appears compressed, transforming into an ellipse.

The Behavior of Ellipses in Perspective

When viewing a circle from an angle, the shape compresses due to perspective, with the back half appearing more compressed than the front half. This phenomenon, known as foreshortening, occurs because the plane of the object is tilted away from the viewer. As a result, the ellipse’s farthest points, which are on the left and right, do not align with the vertical center of the shape. Instead, they sit slightly above the vertical center.

This effect is akin to the way objects closer to the viewer appear larger than those farther away. As the viewer steps back from the object, the ellipse’s form becomes more pronounced, and its appearance changes based on the angle from which it is observed.

Practicing Freehand Ellipses

To improve your ability to draw ellipses freehand, a useful exercise is to start by drawing axes. While you may want to avoid using tools, sketching freehand axes can help you understand how ellipses work, particularly in perspective. Once you are comfortable with this technique, you can gradually remove the axes from your drawing process.

When drawing, remember that the space within the ellipse does not compress equally; the back half is more compressed than the front half. By keeping this in mind, you can better capture the ellipse’s form and its relationship to the object it represents.

Using a Box to Define the Ellipse

Another technique to help visualize and draw an ellipse is to use a box around it. This box represents the surface plane of the ellipse in perspective. For example, if you start with a square box around a circle, and then tilt the box to represent a different viewpoint, the circle will compress into an ellipse. The box's front edge will appear longer, while the trailing edge will appear shorter due to perspective.

Adding orthogonal lines, such as those found in one-point perspective, can further aid in understanding how the ellipse and its bounding box interact within a three-dimensional space.

Mastering the freehand drawing of ellipses takes practice and an understanding of how these shapes behave in perspective. By studying their geometry, practicing with axes and bounding boxes, and observing the way ellipses change with viewpoint, you can improve your ability to draw them accurately and confidently. Over time, these exercises will help you develop a more intuitive sense of how to represent ellipses in your art, enhancing your overall skill as a draftsman.

Perspective Drawing: Your Secret Weapon for Realistic Art

 Ever wondered how artists make flat surfaces look three-dimensional? The magic lies in perspective drawing. It’s the art of transforming a 3D world onto a 2D canvas, creating a captivating illusion of depth and space.

Imagine trying to draw a room. Without perspective, it would look flat and unrealistic. But with perspective, you can make that room appear to extend into the page, drawing the viewer in. It's like adding a secret ingredient to your artistic recipe.

The cool part? You don't need to be a math whiz to master it. Understanding basic concepts like horizon lines and vanishing points can work wonders. With a little practice, you'll be amazed at how your drawings transform.

Every artist should have a solid grasp of (1) horizon lines, (2) vanishing points, (3) one-point perspective, and (4) two-point perspective

Perspective is like a versatile tool in your artistic toolbox. You can use it to create drama, evoke emotions, or simply make your artwork more believable. It's a skill that will elevate your drawings and paintings to the next level.

Mastering the Value Scale

In art, understanding how light reveals form is crucial for creating realistic images. Light allows us to perceive objects as shapes with varying brightness, and artists use these variations in brightness to convey depth and realism. The concept of “values” or “tones” refers to how light or dark an area appears. By accurately depicting these values, artists can simulate a three-dimensional appearance on a flat surface.

A key tool for mastering this technique is the value scale. This scale helps artists comprehend and organize different shades of gray from white to black. Essentially, it is a gradient that transitions smoothly from the lightest to the darkest tones. This grayscale format removes color distractions, making it easier to focus on tonal variations.

A value scale is a simplified representation of this gradient. It breaks down the spectrum of tones into a series of discrete steps, making it easier for artists to see and apply differences in light and dark. Typically, a value scale might include multiple shades of gray, ranging from pure white to pure black, with various intermediate tones in between.

Creating Your Value Scale:

To create a nine-step value scale, follow these steps:

1. Start with white and black at opposite ends.
2. Draw a medium gray halfway between the two.
3. Create a light gray halfway between the medium gray and white.
4. Create a dark gray halfway between the medium gray and black.
5. Fill in the remaining four steps by Drawing values midway between the existing ones.
6. Ensure each step has equal contrast with the adjacent tones for accurate representation.

Using a value scale offers several advantages for artists:

Creating Depth: Gradations of value help in simulating depth by showing how light falls on objects and creates shadows and highlights, making the scene appear three-dimensional.

Adding Contrast: Utilizing a broad range of values, often represented in a 10-step scale, can enhance contrast within a piece, making elements stand out more vividly.

Finding Form: By analyzing and applying values, artists can better define the form of objects, making them appear more solid and three-dimensional.

Creating Mood: The choice of values can influence the mood of a piece. Darker values can convey a somber or dramatic atmosphere, while lighter values might evoke a lighter or more uplifting feeling.

Establishing a Focal Point: The human eye is naturally attracted to lighter elements against darker backgrounds. By strategically placing light values in certain areas, artists can direct the viewer's attention to focal points within their work.

Enhancing Realism: A more nuanced value range, with smooth transitions between black and white, can make artwork appear more realistic. It allows for subtler gradations of light and shadow, which mimic real-life visual experiences.

In summary, mastering the value scale is essential for artists who wish to create realistic and compelling artwork. By understanding and applying different values, artists can enhance the depth, contrast, and overall realism of their pieces. The value scale serves as a fundamental tool for translating the complexities of light and shadow into a visual language that adds dimension and interest to artistic creations.

Value: The Backbone of Your Artwork

 

Value, the lightness or darkness of a color, is often overlooked but is crucial to the success of a painting. It's the foundation upon which your artwork is built.

Imagine a scale from pure white to absolute black. This range represents the full spectrum of value. The more variations you use between these extremes, the more depth and dimension your artwork will have.

Value plays a pivotal role in several ways:

Creating Focus: By contrasting light and dark areas, you can draw the viewer's eye to the focal point of your painting.

Illusion of Form: Value transitions create the illusion of three-dimensionality. Lighter areas suggest a form's roundedness or protruding parts, while darker areas create shadows and depth.

Establishing Mood and Atmosphere: The overall value pattern of a painting can significantly impact its mood. A predominantly light value scheme can create a feeling of cheerfulness, while a darker palette might evoke a sense of mystery or drama.

To truly master value, it's essential to practice drawing with charcoal or graphite before adding color. This helps you focus solely on light and dark without the distractions of color. Once you have a strong grasp of value, you'll find it easier to incorporate color effectively into your artwork.

Remember, value is the unsung hero of many great paintings. By mastering this fundamental element, you'll elevate your artwork to new heights.

Appreciating Watercolor

Watercolor painting isn't just about applying colors; it's a dynamic collaboration between artist and medium. The paint itself seems to have a life of its own, swirling and flowing on the paper in response to water and brushstrokes. It's a captivating dance, a constant interplay that yields beautiful and unpredictable results.

For the aspiring artist, the possibilities are endless. Imagine a world brought to life on paper – anything from a breathtaking landscape (Figure 1-1) to a whimsical abstract creation. The author readily admits their artistic journey wasn't always graceful, but the sheer joy of creating with watercolors outweighed any initial struggles.

The focus here is on transparent watercolor, lauded for its ability to create luminous effects. Thin layers of paint on high-quality cotton rag paper allow light to penetrate, bounce off the white surface, and then reflect back through the layers, resulting in a painting that practically glows.

There's also opaque watercolor, known as gouache, made by adding white to the transparent variety. Acrylics offer another option for opaque, water-soluble painting, but unlike watercolor and gouache, acrylics dry permanently and can't be rehydrated later.

So, what draws artists to watercolors? What myths might deter them? Many misconceptions surround this medium, but the truth is quite positive.

Firstly, watercolor is permanent. While a work on paper might seem less substantial than a canvas painting, high-quality watercolor paper (made from 100% cotton rag) has been found remarkably intact in ancient Egyptian tombs. Lightfastness, once a concern, is no longer a major issue. Modern pigments ensure vibrant colors that will last for generations.

Secondly, watercolor is incredibly portable. All you need is paper, paint, a brush, and water – a compact kit you can take anywhere, allowing you to paint on the go, whether it's a trip around the world or just to your art class.

Thirdly, watercolor is forgiving. Contrary to popular belief, it's not a one-shot deal. You can manipulate and rework the paint even after it dries. Techniques for erasing and layering are covered in detail later in the book.

Fourthly, watercolor is immediate. Unlike oil paints that take ages to dry, watercolor dries quickly, perfect for our fast-paced world.

Fifthly, watercolor is fluid. Some might find this lack of complete control daunting, but it's precisely this characteristic that makes watercolor so captivating. The paint moves and flows freely, reacting to your touch and creating unique effects. Embrace this flow, learn how to work with it, and the paint will practically paint itself.

Finally, watercolor offers endless technical possibilities. Exploring these techniques (covered in later chapters) adds another layer of enjoyment to the artistic journey.

Watercolor is a medium full of surprises, perfect for experimentation. While the author enjoys creating realistic scenes, the potential for abstraction and non-representational art is equally exciting.

In conclusion, watercolor painting is a rewarding and versatile art form. It's permanent, portable, forgiving, immediate, fluid, and offers a vast array of techniques to explore. Whether you're drawn to realistic landscapes or the world of abstract expression, watercolor awaits, ready to dance with you and create something truly special.