Sighting TechniquesSighting Techniques

Art OneArt One

Three Sighting StrategiesThree Sighting Strategies

Finding the midpointFinding the midpointUsing Plumb & levelUsing Plumb & levelTaking comparative measurementsTaking comparative measurements

Finding the midpointFinding the midpoint

Think of your subject as a shape which you divide at the midpoint. That half above the midpoint must fit into the top 50% of your drawing area and the half below must fit into the lower 50%. Studiously finding and using the midpoint in this way ensures that each half of whatever you divide will be in proportion to the other.

Using Plumb & levelUsing Plumb & level

Using your pencil like a carpenters tool you can establish the vertical and horizontal alignments of your subject and transfer them one at a time to your paper. This strategy is especially useful in establishing the action of your pose.

Taking comparative measurementsTaking comparative measurementsIn this strategy you measure with your pencil the length of one part of your subject and compare it to the length of another part. The head is commonly-used unit of measure, for instance, and might be compared to upper arm length or to shoulder width. This procedure is basic to finding proper proportions.

Sighting techniques are indispensable in drawing from observatioSighting techniques are indispensable in drawing from observation for checking the accuracy of your n for checking the accuracy of your marks. Sighting allows you to check vertical, horizontal and diamarks. Sighting allows you to check vertical, horizontal and diagonal measurements as well as plumb and gonal measurements as well as plumb and level. Sighting can also be used to make comparative measurementlevel. Sighting can also be used to make comparative measurements within a drawing.s within a drawing.In sighting, you use your pencil as a measuring tool by holding In sighting, you use your pencil as a measuring tool by holding it out in front of you. The most important it out in front of you. The most important thing to remember is to be consistent in your technique.thing to remember is to be consistent in your technique.Guidelines for drawing using sighting techniques:Guidelines for drawing using sighting techniques:Lock your elbow so that the pencil is always the same distance aLock your elbow so that the pencil is always the same distance away from your eye. way from your eye. Always close the same eye when taking the measurement to decreasAlways close the same eye when taking the measurement to decrease your depth perception and avoid e your depth perception and avoid the parallax problem of shifting viewpoints. the parallax problem of shifting viewpoints. Align the pencil point with your line of vision and take the meaAlign the pencil point with your line of vision and take the measurement with your thumb along the surement with your thumb along the pencil. Make a mark of the same length on your drawing. All earlpencil. Make a mark of the same length on your drawing. All early marks should be light in value. y marks should be light in value. Check and doubleCheck and double--check all your lines using sighting. check all your lines using sighting. Try using sighting techniques and organizational lines.Try using sighting techniques and organizational lines.Darken the accurate lines. Darken the accurate lines. When you use sighting techniques, you will be drawing When you use sighting techniques, you will be drawing ““sight size.sight size.”” The size of the subject of your The size of the subject of your drawing on the paper is determined by the distance between you adrawing on the paper is determined by the distance between you and the subject. Consider this when nd the subject. Consider this when choosing where to sit/stand and when selecting a piece of paper choosing where to sit/stand and when selecting a piece of paper and drawing format. and drawing format. Work on the entire drawing at once, correcting as you go. DonWork on the entire drawing at once, correcting as you go. Don’’t t ““finishfinish”” an area and then move to an area and then move to another. another. When measuring angles, hold your pencil on a plane parallel to yWhen measuring angles, hold your pencil on a plane parallel to your drawing board. Tilt it like the hands our drawing board. Tilt it like the hands on the face of a clock to find the angle. on the face of a clock to find the angle. Questions for evaluating a drawing that was made using sighting Questions for evaluating a drawing that was made using sighting techniques:techniques:

•• Does the drawing indicate a search for accuracy? Does the drawing indicate a search for accuracy? •• Was the drawer using observation rather than memory? Was the drawer using observation rather than memory? •• Was Was ““sight sizesight size”” considered for composition and drawing format? considered for composition and drawing format?

Subjects for drawings using sighting techniques:Subjects for drawings using sighting techniques:•• chairs chairs •• boxes boxes •• interiors interiors •• people people •• landscape landscape

Organizational lineOrganizational lineThe organizational line method can provide a framework for a draThe organizational line method can provide a framework for a drawing similar to an armature used by wing similar to an armature used by a sculptor. Organizational lines take measure; they extend into a sculptor. Organizational lines take measure; they extend into space. They are not confined by the space. They are not confined by the edges of objects and they cut through forms. Organizational lineedges of objects and they cut through forms. Organizational lines relate background shapes to objects s relate background shapes to objects and organize the composition. They take measurement of height, wand organize the composition. They take measurement of height, width and depth of the objects and idth and depth of the objects and space they occupy. Organizational lines are grouped and stated mspace they occupy. Organizational lines are grouped and stated multiple times. This method does not ultiple times. This method does not incorporate an eraser. The lines record the search for accuracy incorporate an eraser. The lines record the search for accuracy and leave traces of your process. and leave traces of your process. These lines also create a sense of volume, weight and depth in yThese lines also create a sense of volume, weight and depth in your drawing, so resist the temptation our drawing, so resist the temptation to eraseto eraseGuidelines for organizational line drawingGuidelines for organizational line drawingUse a viewfinder to create a composition. Use a viewfinder to create a composition. Draw a frame on your paper to match the proportions in your viewDraw a frame on your paper to match the proportions in your viewfinder. finder. Begin by looking for important horizontal and vertical lines in Begin by looking for important horizontal and vertical lines in your composition. your composition. Draw these lines lightly, but extend them beyond the objects theDraw these lines lightly, but extend them beyond the objects they represent. y represent. Establish heights and widths of all objects and background shapeEstablish heights and widths of all objects and background shapes in the composition. s in the composition. Using the extended lines, check relationships between objects anUsing the extended lines, check relationships between objects and spaces and the frame. d spaces and the frame. Make corrections right over the searching lines. Make corrections right over the searching lines. Finally, darken the accurate lines of the objects.Finally, darken the accurate lines of the objects.Questions for evaluating an organizational line drawing:Questions for evaluating an organizational line drawing:Is the search for accuracy evident in the drawing? Is the search for accuracy evident in the drawing? Are there any erasures? Are there any erasures? Do the lines begin to imply volume, weight and depth? Do the lines begin to imply volume, weight and depth? Are the lines stated multiple times? Are the lines stated multiple times? Subjects for organizational line drawing:Subjects for organizational line drawing:chairs chairs boxes boxes interiors interiors still life still life