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Drawing in the Digital Age: An Observational Method for Artists and Animators

Drawing in the Digital Age: An Observational Method for Artists and Animators

by Wei Xu, PhD
Publisher: Sybex
Release Date: March 2012
ISBN: 9781118176504
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Book Description

A solid foundation for improving your drawing skills

Teaching a new observational method based on math and computer graphics principles, this book offers an innovative approach that shows you how to use both sides of your brain to make drawing easier and more accurate. Author Wei Xu, PhD, walks you through his method, which consists of scientific theories and principles to deliver real-world techniques that will improve your drawing skills. Xu's pioneering approach offers a solid foundation for both traditional and CG artists.

  • Encourages you to use both sides of your brain for drawing with the highest efficiency possible

  • Introduces an innovative method invented by the author for improving your drawing skills

If you are eager to learn how to draw, then this book is a must read.

Table of Contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Dear Reader,
  5. Dedication
  6. Acknowledgments
  7. About the Author
  8. Introduction
    1. Why I Wrote This Book
    2. Who Should Read This Book
    3. What You Will Learn
    4. Pretest
    5. How to Contact the Author
  9. Chapter 1: Understanding the Relationship between Math and Art
    1. Understanding How Math and Art Differ
    2. Understanding How Math and Art Are Similar
    3. Using Math to Create Digital Art
    4. Using Math in Traditional Drawing
    5. Using Math to Help You Draw
    6. Examining Existing Drawing Methods
    7. Stop Separating Math from Art
  10. Chapter 2: Extracting Graphical Structures—A Scientific Point of View
    1. Introducing CG Concepts and Principles
    2. Unifying 2D and 3D Cases
    3. Understanding the Properties of Basic Shapes
    4. Understanding Graphical Structures
    5. Extracting GSs with Triangulation
  11. Chapter 3: Drawing with the ABC Method
    1. Meeting the Criteria for a New Drawing Method
    2. Introducing the ABC Method
  12. Chapter 4: Drawing Simple Objects
    1. Preparing to Draw
    2. Extracting Basic Information
    3. Demonstrations of 3D Objects
    4. Demonstrations of 2D Images
    5. Exercises
  13. Chapter 5: Drawing Complicated Objects
    1. Breaking Down Complexity
    2. Demonstrations
    3. Exercises
  14. Chapter 6: Drawing Complicated Scenes
    1. Introducing Techniques for Merging Objects
    2. Demonstrations
    3. Exercises
  15. Chapter 7: Using Advanced Techniques
    1. Working with Curved Triangles and Polygons
    2. Drawing a Group of Ovals
    3. Using Shadow Maps
    4. Using Rhythms for Partitioning
    5. Exploring Trade-Offs between Accuracy and Speed
    6. Demonstrations
    7. Summary
    8. Exercises
  16. Chapter 8: Using Special Techniques for Drawing Human Bodies
    1. General Tips
    2. Tips for Drawing Faces
    3. Tips for Quick Life Sketches
    4. Demonstrations
    5. Summary
    6. Exercises
    7. Post-Test: Drawing Van Gogh
  17. Index