Tip of the month – October 2009

This tip page is per a request by Daphne.

The above are the basic shapes and forms that can be used as a foundation for drawing specific subjects. I tend to use the CIRCLE/SPHERE, the OVOID, the CONE, and the CYLINDER when I am drawing individual flowers. The SQUARE/CUBE is used for man-made objects and architecture.

When looking at the subject, the tendency is to see the finished and detailed form. Trying to match the subject to one of the basic forms will help you to work from the general to the specific.

This peony was started from a circle. I indicated the center of the flower in the top half of the circle and then started drawing the outer petal shapes.

I have rotated this Amaryllis to show the basic shape more clearly. Again, I would start this flower shape with a basic circle. This circle would need to be slightly flattened into an ellipse. Next, I would locate the center of the flower and then start to shape the petals on the outer edge and gradually move into the center.

Long horn-shaped flowers like this Calla Lily can be started with the basic cylinder shape. This is also a good starting shape for tulips.

This lily started with an upside down basic cone shape. The center was placed and the petals were extended outward from the cone.

For this painting, I chose the ovoid shape for the top of the flower. The three lower petals were attached at the lower midway point of the ovoid and were based on the same shape.

If I turn the basic ovoid shape on its side, I will have the cup-like shape on the front of this Lady Slipper Orchid.

I have chosen the basic OVOID shape and I have drawn it with a diagonal direction. This form will represent the “slipper” of the orchid.

I have placed the form off center on the paper as it will be the area of focus.

I have added a second smaller OVOID shape inside the first one. It will represent the opening in the slipper form of the orchid.

To see what I am seeing, refer to the photo of the orchid above.

I examined the petal forms and saw that they had an OVOID shape also. Before the orchid is fully opened, these petals fold over the slipper form of the flower. They need to be as long as or longer than the slipper form.

When drawing a flower, look at the underside of it to determine where the petals are attached.

To the basic form above, I added ruffled edges.

You will notice that I do not draw the flowers in a full frontal position. That particular position would flatten the form.

These basic forms can be used to block in your compositional design. The placement of the basic shapes/forms will help me design the negative space. Without committing myself to long hours of drawing, I can see if there will be a good balance between positive and negative shapes.

Try the basic foundation shapes/forms with other subjects.

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