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Part Three – PENS, INK, BRUSHES and PAPER
CREATING THE ILLUSION OF FORM
As with some of the earlier examples in the
previous sections I have here shown other
methods using different pen, ink and brush
techniques to create the illusion of form on a
two dimensional surface.
The first method I have used employs a
flat head brush and a series of washes to give
the illusion of a sphere. Firstly draw the
sphere outline and horizon line at the back
to create the composition. Draw also the
shape of the shadow. Start by using the
Indian ink in the most dark and opaque
areas, that being the shadow, a small part of
the underside of the ball and the area above
the horizon line at the back of the ball. Dilute
some of the Indian ink to create a slightly
lighter wash and place this next to the dark
area that is on the sphere, gradually diluting
and spreading the tone over the sphere until
it becomes completely light at the opposite
end.
The illusion of a cube is created by a
controlled splatter technique using a
toothbrush. First draw the cube out lightly
using a pencil, not forgetting to put the back
line in to create the sense of space. Then
mask out the areas surrounding the darkest
side of the cube, leaving that area the only
area open to the splattering. Take the
toothbrush and dip it into the ink. Make a
test example first of all to ensure a smooth
and consistent area of ink is applied, and
when you are happy with the result turn the
process to the exposed area on your
drawing. When this has dried do the same
with the mid tone area by masking around
that and then applying a mid-tone. Wait for it
to dry and the using the same procedure do
the same for the last, and lightest tone.
Create the illusion of a cone by the use of
front light shading with a fine felt tipped pen
and correction fluid. As with the other two
solids draw the outline with pencil first very
lightly and place the back line in. The nearest
point of the cone will be the lightest area and
as the surface of the cone gradually goes
back the tone will become darker. In this
drawing I have used correction fluid to make
the lighter area on the drawing appear even
lighter. The dark areas have been created by
using a series of lines that follow the curve of
the form. These lines become denser and
darker as they begin to reach the outside
edge of the form.
Create the form of a cylinder by the use of
a rapidograph or rotring pen. Again draw the
outline of the cylinder with a pencil, and the
back line to create the space. On one side of
the cylinder draw a series of vertical lines.
Start with them being very close together
giving the sense of a shadow. Gradually
space the lines out so the other side of the
cylinder is completely white. Now repeat this
process on the top of the cylinder but from
the opposite side - this gives the illusion that
the cylinder is hollow.
These are just a few ways to create illusions
of the 3D effect. You should think of other
methods that might be employed to create
similar illusions, and try them out to expand
your visual perceptions.