Drawing

Marks on a surface, and the conventions that make them read as things.

Drawing makes marks on a surface. It is usually the first visual discipline taught because it isolates the fundamental problem: representing a three-dimensional world, or an idea, on a flat plane.

The elements

Line, shape, form, value, texture, space and colour. Of these, value — the range from light to dark — does most of the work in creating the illusion of solidity. A drawing with accurate values and inaccurate line still reads as convincing; the reverse rarely does.

Perspective

• One-point — one vanishing point on the horizon. A road or corridor seen head on.
• Two-point — two vanishing points. An object seen at an angle, such as a building corner.
• Three-point — a third point above or below, for looking sharply up or down.
• Atmospheric — distant objects rendered lighter, bluer and less contrasted, which conveys depth without any geometry at all.

Media

Graphite is gradeable from hard and light to soft and dark, and erases. Charcoal is darker and more easily blended but smudges. Ink is permanent, so tone must be built by hatching or stippling rather than smudged. Coloured pencil and pastel add hue while keeping the drawing process.