The illustrated objects above are demonstrated by using one of the technique artists use to create the illusion of depth called Two-point Linear Perspective (how an object appears smaller the farther away it is).

Step 2: Set Up One Strong Light Source. (See the terms defined in the videos and image below.)

Highlights, Transitional Light (Center Light and Varying Tones), Core Shadow, Reflected Light, Cast Shadows and Oclusion Shadows give an object a 3-D look on a 2-D surface.
On the assignment example you will also see the cast shadow divided into the umbra, penumbra, and antumbrambra.

Above: How to Shade Basic Forms

Shading is the process of adding to value to a drawing.   When we get the values right, the illusion of form and light are communicated in the drawing.   By learning how to draw basic forms, we can be more successful when drawing more complex subjects.   This exercise is completed on bristol paper, but any drawing paper will result in similar results.   —The Virtual Instructor (9:21)

Step 3: Follow the video demonstration and draw the forms:

sphere (at 0:00)  │  cube (at 2:40)  │  cylinder * (at 5:43)  │  cone * (at 7:10)

*For cylinders and cones, see the additional video:
How to Draw an Ellipse (new tab)

Now that we have learned about basic shapes and shading techniques next, we will learn about creating the illusion of 3-D forms in space.

Understanding 1, 2 & 3 Point Perspective in under 1 minute!
(1:16) RubberOnion

1  │  2  │  3

  Perspective (from Latin: perspicere "to see through") and Linear perspective always works by representing the light that passes from a scene through an imaginary rectangle (realized as the plane of the painting), to the viewer's eye, as if a viewer were looking through a window and painting what is seen directly onto the windowpane.   If viewed from the same spot as the windowpane was painted, the painted image would be identical to what was seen through the unpainted window.   Each painted object in the scene is thus a flat, scaled down version of the object on the other side of the window.  —    (Refer to Grids and Graphs below.)

One Point Perspective (10:22)  A horizon line is defined and then one point is placed on the horizon line.   Lines are drawn back to the vanishing point to create 3D forms.Drawing & Painting
—The Virtual Instructor

Two Point Perspective   (11:50)  Drawing & Painting —The Virtual Instructor

  Two-Point Perspective is when a drawing contains two vanishing points on the horizon line.   In an illustration, these vanishing points can be placed arbitrarily along the horizon.   Two-point perspective can be used to draw the same objects as one-point perspective, rotated: looking at the corner of a house, or at two forked roads shrinking into the distance, for example.   One point represents one set of parallel lines, the other point represents the other.   Seen from the corner, one wall of a house would recede towards one vanishing point while the other wall recedes towards the opposite vanishing point... Wikipedia

How to Draw in 3-Point Perspective   (10:13)  Circle Line Art School

  Three-Point Perspective   is often used for buildings seen from above (or below).   In addition to the two vanishing points from before, one for each wall, there is now one for how the vertical lines of the walls recede.   For an object seen from above, this third vanishing point is below the ground.   For an object seen from below, as when the viewer looks up at a tall building, the third vanishing point is high in space... Wikipedia

What is foreshortening?  (2:41)  Smarthistory

  Foreshortening is the visual effect or optical illusion that causes an object or distance to appear shorter than it actually is because it is angled toward the viewer.   Additionally, an object is often not scaled evenly: a circle often appears as an ellipse and a square can appear as a trapezoid... Wikipedia

What is atmospheric perspective? (1:23)  Smarthistory

  Aerial or Atmospheric Perspective   refers to the effect the atmosphere has on the appearance of an object as it is viewed from a distance.   As the distance between an object and a viewer increases, the contrast between the object and its background decreases, and the contrast of any markings or details within the object also decreases.   The colours of the object also become less saturated and shift towards the background colour, which is usually blue, but under some conditions may be some other colour (for example, at sunrise or sunset distant colours may shift towards red)... WikiPedia

Measuring Methods For Artists (2:53)   Artists often use measuring techniques to achieve more accurate, realistic effects.   Measuring is used to calculate relative sizes and proportions and is useful for still lifes, landscapes and even figurative art.   Today we use several measuring methods including:   comparative, sight-size and triangulation." —CroquisCafe

  Principles: Scale / Proportion   Using the relative size of elements against each other can attract attention to a focal point. When elements are designed larger than life, scale is being used to show drama... Wikipedia

  Draughtsman Making a Perspective Drawing of a Reclining Woman, ca. 1600, woodcut (detail) by Albrecht Durer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY, USA

  Grids and Graph Systems Graph paper, coordinate paper, grid paper, or squared paper is writing paper that is printed with fine lines making up a regular grid.   The lines are often used as guides for plotting mathematical functions or experimental data and drawing two-dimensional graphs.  It is commonly found in mathematics and engineering education settings and in laboratory notebooks.   Graph paper is available either as loose leaf paper or bound in notebooks... Wikipedia

Below, is a small sample of information links coordinated with video playlists.   Each link and video thumbnail takes you to the category on the Resource page.   Once there, activate the links.   Resources

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