Basic Training
LESSON ELEVEN
Circles
When you connect the start and end of a line in a continuous motion, you create a circle. A true circle is as wide as it is tall when viewed straight on, without the effect of perspective. This means viewing the shape with no distortion. Once a circle is seen from an alternative viewpoint, perspective begins to affect it’s appearance transforming it into an ellipse. However, because we have not introduced perspective yet, we will be focusing solely on drawing circles from a direct head-on view.
Exercise Eight
Exercise eight is all about accuracy and control. If you examine the example provided, you’ll notice that the circle touches the square it sits in at exactly four points; at the top, right, left, and bottom center. A circle will only touch these four points and nowhere else. If your line contacts the square for any extended length, your shape is no longer a circle. Your goal, is to create a circle without flattening out, creating an even, continuous curve.
The two main techniques you can explore for drawing circles, involves drawing the entire circle in a single, fluid motion. Maintaining a speed that balances control and rhythm. The other breaks the circle into four equal parts, drawing each quarter independently from point to point. Each technique comes with their own challenges, fluid motion can risk distortion, while dividing the circle can lead to a broken and inconsistent shape.
Don’t hesitate to utilize techniques like ghosting or over laying. Ghosting allows you to rehearse the movement of your line before committing it to paper, helping to build muscle memory and increasing your confidence. Overlaying, means drawing over the same multiple times, allowing you to hone your accuracy or build up the lines weight and darkness. These aren’t just warm-up drills, they are tools to use in your drawings to refine your work and clarify your visual storytelling.
