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Draw 3D: Prerequisites
To understand this draw 3D tutorial, first review our brief 3D tutorial. It describes several new aspects of this process of creating 3D form and depth.
Draw 3D: Light and Dark
Levels of light and dark can be "different with distance" to create apparent depth. (left pic)
In this case we can see the image getting less dark as it gets farther away.
This example also emphasizes the effect of overlapping, which is another powerful depth cue in itself.
Light or dark only have meaning when compared to the other. How different they are between things in the scene translates into how much distance they are apart.
Lightness suggests we are receiving light rays from things actually there. We also have an energy literally jumping at us. But when we see darkness, this suggests that not only are no light rays approaching us but that there is less of anything in front of us to be reflecting light in the first place. So most of the time, making things darker with distance makes them less forceful. That suggests this to be the more effective way to draw 3D. By doing the reverse, a dark object set against a white background can resemble a hole or dent in the picture. (left pic)
But since depth can be achieved with change across distance in almost any way, the use of dark against light can still be an effective way to draw 3D as shown in our first illustration. Neither light nor dark really have any more value over the other.
Draw 3D: Artistic Depth Cues
Almost any apparent depth change ("difference with distance") you can achieve while you draw 3D will create some kind of a depth cue.
The most depth cues normally found in books is somewhere around eight or ten. However, the actual number is certainly much more extensive than what is even contained here and can be considered limitless.
There are also ways of creating depth cues with the aim of giving value to depth in much more creative and interesting ways. For instance, you could simply remove details with distance when you draw 3D. (left pic) Objects may even be their same levels of light and dark here; they are just made with less detail as they go farther.
Such an artistic depth cue, as I call it, has no real natural basis. Most or all details would normally remain present, they can just be more difficult to see when smaller. Details may also blend together to make an overall smoother-looking appearance.
Other types of artistic depth cue could be created by using different pencil or brush strokes as things get farther out into the distance.
You could also draw 3D objects that are closer with thicker lines than farther ones. (left pic) This artistic depth cue does not even exist in reality since objects are not surrounded by lines. Yet, this process still works in accordance with standard depth cue behavior of having less of something with more distance.
Other ways of giving scenes less with distance to enhance depth include smaller, simpler or fewer paint strokes, creating softer textures, duller surfaces and so on. Just about anything you can do to make distant things look “less like” closer things should be effective in creating a 3D effect.
Unlike most depth cues, artistic depth cues even can stress the specific distance of a subject, as with focus (see earlier tutorial), gradually reducing things as they depart from that one position, both closer and farther from it.
Draw 3D: Understanding perspective
To really be able to "draw 3D", read:
A New Perspective - Universal Edition
A New Understanding of Perspective
for All Visual Art Forms Including:
Drawing, Painting, Photography, Motion Picture,
3D Graphics and Video Game Design
More information can be found at:
