Measuring proportions and negative space are already familiar techniques. I find measuring the angles useful as well. These were fun to practice because I haven't drawn in decades. It's almost midnight and pitch dark. I will try these techniques tomorrow in the garden.

Measuring was okay, but executing on paper was not so easy. A patch of zinnias from my back yard.

I confess that I did not draw anything outside.  We have had non-stop weather in the ninties it seems like forever, so I took a picture from my vacation and used negative space and proportion to draw a Great Blue Heron.  The thinking about negative space helped me to get negative space much better and the measuring (I used the length of the bill)  totally helped to make it look more like the bird I was drawing. I am proud of this drawing. Thank you!

When I measure proportions, I always compare the angles of different lines. This is because I find that I can't get the proportions right if I concentrate on the details of the object. Focusing on the angles of the different lines gives me a general idea of the subject. This technique helps me to focus on the length and proportions of each subject. It also helps me to compare the distance, size and position of each object.

This tecnique is very helpful in creating more realistic drawings. The proportions for complex images, such as a landscape, was a bit more difficult than single objects at first.

Although I find it tricky, it is definitely helpful when figuring out how to capture images on the page more accurately. The weather is not conducive to getting outside to do this in the field, so I am stuck with objects in the house for now. I’m hoping to get out tomorrow.  The easy part if getting the measurement at the top; the hard part is moving the pencil down to count out the size. This was tricky for a stationary object. I can’t imagine what it will be like with one that jumps around. In doing this assignment, I definitely found my observation skills improving. I drew walrus tusks that have been hanging on my wall for approximately 8 years and I never realized there were carvings on the sides before. If I get outside tomorrow, I will comment on the measurements of various subjects.

What is that ruler you were using? I like the idea of having it when I’m up close and able to measure for identification.

On a still subject measuring proportions worked very well.  I always try to capture photos of my subject because I know I'm not quick enough to get all of the details before they move, so I started small.  I think the proportions of this pine cone were helped with the measuring trick.

April 20, 2023. Here's my field sketch using the extended arm measuring tool. My learning note wasn't about proportion so much as about finding a way to simplify a landscape - I'm accustomed to putting in detail, and there was just too much going on here. I tried squinting, to pull out the lights and darks, but ultimately decided the light was pretty uniform. Onward!

April 18, 2023 - was chilly out today, so I wimped-out and sketched indoors. My still life was fun to arrange, with the objects adjacent to each other and then quite separated. I usually try to capture these positional relationships by eye, but the brain plays tricks and I found the measuring exercise very helpful. And the negative space awareness also helped get things positioned on the page. I think it will be a challenge to practice this in the field - but I'll give a landscape a try.

I Think that using this method really does help a lot with making the picture look proportionate. I know before I always had a problem with making it look realistic and I think that this is going to be a big help.

<li style="list-style-type: none;">

<li style="text-align: center;">

 

I tend to forget to check on the negative space as I am drawing.  It will be a habit to develop, because it does help in accuracy when I use it.

This is a great method which I have been using for subjects but haven't for landscapes.  I will have to tackle that next because it's my proportions that make my landscapes look like a 3 yr old sketched it! It will be a challenge to use on a moving animal.

I think measuring proportion is a great tool for making things more accurate. I almost always draw something, and only use negative space to make it look right, but I think my drawings will become even more accurate using proportions! Animals are easier for me to use proportions on than landscapes so I guess I should practice that more.

Measuring proportions certainly shows up the errors in my accuracy.  Particularly with masses of tall vegetation I found I overestimate the proportion significantly.  My mind's eye must say "they are big tall trees"  so I make them too big proportionally!  It was hard to get things in the landscape looking real.  The boat is still not right.  Much more practice needed but at least I know I have a  tendency to do that now which is better than not being aware.

I I still found it a bit challenging to get the proportion just right. It is better but definitely a work in progress. I do think the measuring technique is beneficial and will improve the more I practice using it.

For this exercise I chose to practice measuring proportions on my houseplants. I measured the height of each pot using a ruler and divided the length by 5 to get their height for my illustrations. Then the hight of the flower pots served as a reference for everything else. I used eyeballed or used the finger trick to get the width of each pot and the hight and width of each plant. For a change I drew these on toned paper with a Blick Terracotta color pencil and used a Prismacolor white color pencil for the highlights.

I am lucky I could practice with my sleeping cat! Although I applied the pencil technique right, I find that the back leg looks too small in proportion to the body… I wonder if perspective has something to do with it.