Introduction7Raphael, da Vinci, Rembrandt, right up to the
present day and the designers of the Disney
films.
2/ Research and Information gathering
Artist and designers use drawing research as a
way of gathering information on a given task,
or subject, that they have either been com -
missioned to do or one they have decided to
perform for personal aesthetic reasons.
Research is usually done in sketchbooks, and
in specific places that hold the necessary
information. These places could be
museums, libraries, galleries, in the studio, or
out in the field. It all depends on the type of
research that is needed for the project in
hand. Research can contain all types of
information for the artist from shape, form,
texture, diagrammatic information, tech -
niques, recording fact, and so on. This type of
work is usually completed through drawing,
and note taking. Information gathering is the
same as research but is done constantly by
the artist as a visual resource. It is a visual
dictionary that can be used at any point for
reference, and all artists should continuously
be gathering this type of visual information
and storing it for future use. Information
gathering is broader in its subject area than
research as it includes anything of visual
interest to the artist. If you look at some of
the drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, you will
see the enquiring mind of the artist, gathering
information continuously from nature and
science. Information gathering exemplifies
the enquiring mind that sustains an interest
in the visual world.
3/ Diagrammatic Drawings
These type of drawings are usually
instructional, for example a map e.g. when
someone needs directions we will draw them
a very crude map that gives them an idea of
where to go. Diagrammatic drawings have
also been used in different cultures to enable
us to read and understand religious or
philosophical meanings, and aspects of that
culture. Simple examples of diagrammatic
drawings come with self assemble items such
as furniture, models, and other forms of
equipment!4/ Theoretical Drawings
Theoretical drawings are important in the
history of art in that they give us a means of
understanding proportion, and space
through the use of analytical and theoretical
devices. These drawings are usually referred
to as projection systems such as perspective,
planometric, isometric, trimetric, and
proportion and measurement drawing
systems. This theoretical drawing base is
applied to human proportion, architectural
plans, and drawings from nature.5/ Copies
Copying consists of absorbing the manner in
which other artists have worked using the
medium of drawing. In the following chapters
in the book, copying is used extensively. It
breaks down and assists our understanding of
the drawing process. It is used to aid us in our
learning, and to understand more fully the
language of drawing.6/ Drawing from Nature
All artists draw from nature whether it be a
direct transcription or a drawing that is from
memory. Drawings from nature include
drawings of still life, drawings of the human
form, or drawings from the environment or
landscape. What we must realise is that when
drawing from nature we must have a clear
idea what we want to achieve from this
drawing, how we want to approach it, and the
type of language or technique we are going to