drawing board By Sadie J.

Valeri drawing board

To download Valeri’s worksheet with detailed,
web step-by-step instruction on drawing an ellipse,
Extra
go to www.artistsnetwork.com/tamonlinetoc.

Constructing Vessels
Follow these simple steps to understand and draw the fundamental structures of dishes,
cups, vases and jars.

A common difficulty in still life pronounced when transparency and humorous, stately or reserved. I try
painting is making vessels such as reflection are involved. to capture the unique character of
dishes, cups, vases and jars look solid The way I approach painting each object. Here are the steps I take.
and symmetrical. Without careful vessels is to first do a detailed line
observation, these objects can tend drawing of the vessel structure so I 1. Sketching Proportions
to look wobbly, lopsided or dis- can fully understand the shape of the I start by sketching the entire com-
torted. The problems are even more object. It’s only by understanding the position with a straight-line block-in.
form, proportion and structure of a Using only straight lines, I draw
vessel that I can capture its likeness a rough, simplified shape for each
and individual character. object. I work on this until I feel I’ve
If you look at any vase, jar or captured the essential proportions
teacup, you can imagine a very dis- and placement of each object. I resist
tinct character for the object: A fat, adding curves or details at this stage.
round teapot can look cute; a tall,
narrow vase can look elegant. Vessels
Instead, I use long, soft, sketchy lines
so I can erase and adjust them easily.
1 2
can be proud, squat, portly, graceful,
2. Building Symmetry
When I feel confident of the size,
proportions and placement of each
Below: Before I begin to paint a still life that
includes vessels, I always do a detailed line
object, I choose one object to focus
drawing including ellipses—with precise on and refine that shape further. If
measurements—to understand the forms and the object is symmetrical, at this
Materials proportions of the objects, as I did for Wax point I draw a vertical centerline
Grafix Dura-Lar matte drafting film Paper I (oil on panel, 11x14). through it. I use a T square or
(I like to do preparatory drawings for
paintings on translucent drafting film,
which is a strong, heavyweight tracing
paper. This way I can erase and refine
my drawing over and over without
damaging the surface. I can also use
the transparent film to transfer my
image to the painting panel.)

Staedtler Mars Lumograph graphite

pencils, H and 2H

Newell Rubbermaid Sanford Paper

Mate Tuff Stuff eraser stick

Kneaded eraser

X-Acto Snap-Off blade cutter (for

sharpening pencils)

200-grit sandpaper (for sanding graph-

ite pencils to an extremely fine point)

Ruler, T square, triangles

 www.artistsmagazine.com January/February 2012 

 drawing board drawing board

3 4 5 6
triangle to be sure the vertical is pre- works with figure drawing, to solve T square and ruler to measure for ready to draw the ellipse. A common When the lines are very refined,
web
cise. Even asymmetrical objects with the problem of the head being too accuracy. The top and bottom points mistake when drawing an ellipse is even a hair-width error will make a Extra
spouts and handles often have a basic large or too small: Follow the line of will always be perfectly vertical, and to draw it like an Egyptian eye, with vessel look lopsided.
body shape that is symmetrical. a shoulder to the opposite jaw line; the left and the right points will be sharp points on the corners. Keep in Using the same method, I con- To learn more about
how Valeri constructs
Using a ruler, I measure out there’s always a relationship!) perfectly horizontal. To check this I mind that, since we’re looking at a struct all the other vessels in the pic-
her preliminary still
from the centerline and mark key draw both a vertical and a horizontal circle in perspective, there are never ture. I draw each object as if it were
life drawings and
points: the widest point of the vessel; 4. Measuring for Ellipses midline through the diamond. any sharp points. At each endpoint, transparent. It’s important to draw about her drawing
the narrowest point; and the major When the basic symmetry and (To follow the laws of perspec- the contour is momentarily perfectly the entire structure, even of objects and painting pro-
changes of direction at the neck, proportions are set, I focus on the tive, the far side of the ellipse, being vertical, in order to make a tight, that are mostly hidden behind others. cesses, find a link
shoulders and body. I like to use a T ellipses. An ellipse is structured curve. I use my eraser to In the final painting, many of to the October 2011
square with my ruler so I can be sure the shape we see when carefully remove the diamond guides these edges will be softened, or even issue of The Artist’s
all my measurements are truly hori- a perfect circle is tilted I draw each object as if it were and to refine the contours. disappear altogether. But in order Magazine at www.
zontal. I step back often and evaluate in perspective. The When I’ve created the top to capture the strength, beauty and artistsnetwork.com/
whether the proportions still feel degree of tilt shows how
transparent. It’s important ellipse, I’m ready to construct the character of a vessel, it’s necessary tamonlinetoc.
true to my subject. much above or below to draw the entire structure, bottom ellipse. Another common to understand and construct its
the circle/ellipse is in mistake is to assume the bottom fundamental structure. n
3. Using X’s relation to our eye level.
even of objects that are mostly edge of an object is flat, since often
An easy way to analyze the shape of At perfect eye level, hidden behind others. we can’t see the entire ellipse. I Sadie J. Valeri received her bachelor of
a vessel is to sketch X’s through it. the ellipse becomes a always construct all the ellipses: fine arts degree in illustration from the
It’s common to try to draw the body straight line. top, bottom and middle. This helps Rhode Island School of Design in 1993 and
and then the neck—but they would It’s very common for ellipses to farther away, is smaller than the near me see a transparent, structural also studied at Bay Area Classical Artist
Atelier in San Carlos, California, the Hudson
forever feel disjointed. Drawing look tilted and warped in a painting. side of the ellipse. To correct for this, construction of the vessel.
River Fellowship in New York and the Studio
large X’s across the form helps The important thing to remember is I shift the high point of the far edge
Escalier in France. She has taught graduate
relate the neck to the body. Often that ellipses sitting on a horizontal slightly closer to the horizontal mid- 6. Finishing the Construction
students at the Academy of Art University in
the tilt of the shoulders point up surface are always perfectly parallel line. If you’re a beginner, at first try I continue to modify and refine, San Francisco and helped establish the blog
to the limits of the neck. Drawing with the horizon. drawing them perfectly equal). erasing and redrawing when neces- womenpaintingwomen.blogspot.com. She
the X’s helps us see the object as a I start each ellipse by draw- sary, until my drawing is an accurate currently teaches workshops and classes at
whole and observe that the various ing a diamond first. This way I can 5. Drawing the Ellipses portrait of the vessel. I continually Sadie Valeri Atelier in San Francisco. Visit her
parts are logically in proportion to measure to be sure the points are With all my diamond points mea- remeasure my main points to be website at www.sadievaleri.com.
one another. (This technique also symmetrical and level. I use my sured and symmetrical, I’m finally sure my drawing is still symmetrical.

 www.artistsmagazine.com January/February 2012