Drawing Techniques- drawing from the cube

One thing I have found very helpful to get more dimension on a 2 dimensional surface is drawing from the cube.

 Start by drawing a cube-square or rectangle to create the illusion of 3 dimensions.  Then it is a matter of drawing a figure or object within this cube, pushing and pulling the object to create more dimension.
When I was first learning to draw everything seemed flat and did not seem to come forward.  This helped me tremendously to think about pulling forward the areas that are closest to me and pushing back the areas furthest from me. 

Drawing Techniques

I thought it would be fun to do a series on drawing techniques that I have found helpful and, to use the word again, fun.  Examples include drawing from the cube, blind contour and gesture.  I will start next week on this series. 

Oil painting titled Growing

5ft tall by 2ft wide.  I had a plant that draped down from the pot a certain way and really liked the flow of it.  The shoot at the bottom of the plant shows the plant is continuing to grow which also signifies myself growing in so many ways.  After completing this piece it struck me how much it looks like a Japanese screen.

Half dining room window

This window is in a dining room and the client wanted privacy from the street.  He had wood shutters which blocked out a lot of light.  This gave privacy and allowed the light to come in.  The lines flow with the texture in the surrounding walls and ties in with the background trees.  It was fun to have the design go outside of the frame on top and have the top be diagonal instead of squared off. 

Stained glass trifold room dividers

The following are room dividers that I have for sale.  I enjoyed making three panel divider with designs flowing through the three panels.  A friend of mine made the wood frames.

The first two pictures bring out the image differently.  I originally had the glass in the first wood frame but changed it to the white oak frame in the second image.   Hand beveled glass with color pieces beveled and bonded on top.  I enjoy the flow of the design.

 Measures 6 ft tall and each panel is 18" wide.

This one stands 5 ft tall and each panel is 18" wide.  Ash wood frame.  Both dividers have double joint hinges so they can be folded/unfolded in different ways.  I love how the different textures of glass pick up the colors and light/shadows from the background.

Oil painting-figurative

The human figure is a fascinating subject to draw/paint.  Very expressive, complex and at times difficult to draw. Body language is how we understand what a person is thinking, feeling or doing and trying to capture that on paper, canvas or even glass is a challenge for me. I enjoy using different colors to paint to form to express different emotions. 

Looking at these remind me again how the glass and painting intertwine with each other - FUN!

Oil painting- figurative expressing anxiety

I was going through a period where I was anxious about a lot of things, much like I am now.  I wanted to express that through this pose with the muscle tension, tension in the fingers.  "What do I do?" is what I see when I look at the hand on the head.
I enjoy the depth and love the anatomy in this pose.  I also enjoy the intertwining of glass design and painting. 

Oil painting reproductions

If you are looking for special cards to give someone or art prints, please visit http://IsaacDSmith.imagekind.com
for reproductions of my oil paintings and glass images.