Weekly Theme: Sketching Curves

 

 

"Been thrown a curve ball?  What to do?  Well... Draw it of course!  Our theme for this week is Sketching Curves.  The idea was inspired by Jeanine Martin.      

                                           

A curve is a continuous and smooth flowing line without any sharp turns.  One way to recognize a curve is that it bends and changes its direction at least once.  According to the article, 5 Types of Line in Art, Their Meaning and When to Use Them, "Curved lines are lines that bend and change direction gradually. They can be simply wavy or spiral. Such lines convey the feelings of comfort and ease, as well as sensual quality as they remind us of the human body." 

Look to Van Gogh's Starry Night or Munch's The Scream, for example.

 

Whatever type of drawing you plan to do, there are bound to be curves.  As you look about, you will see many curves worthy of sketching: the arch of a building, the waves of the ocean or a person's hair, the slope of a mountain or the rise and fall of a roller coaster.   

Sketch by Leslie Gordon-Sim

 

Have fun and be creative as you like with your drawing.  Enjoy that curve ball!

Sketch by Chris Brown

 

 

For further inspiration: 

How to Draw Better Curves - It's Important / Art of Wei 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCHA3NGeNLY 

Learn the basics on drawing nice curves.

How to Draw Curves / ArtGraphicA 

http://www.artgraphica.net/free-art-lessons/perspective-for-artists/how-to-draw-curves.html

Learn how to draw curves by using straight lines. A curve can ... drawing curves by straight lines, perspective bridge ... human head in perspective.

How to Draw Curves by Bob Davies, Art Tutor 

https://www.arttutor.com/blog/201512/how-draw-curves

A couple of techniques for making our curve-drawing life a little easier. This video covers two types of curves: "even" or symmetrical curves and "uneven" or asymmetrical curves. Both present a slightly different challenge.

Drawing for Beginners: PART 1- Draw with Curves / Paul Priestly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cHOGKqeqQk

Learn how to draw with curves by learning basic techniques in a simple step by step approach. With curves you can draw a lot of objects very simply such as: ribbons, flags, grass, cliffs, leaves etc. Paul shows you stage by stage how to create each of these items by sketching the basic outlines and then using a 4B pencil to shade in the detail.

How to draw curves accurately: the one big secret / Virtual Art Academy 

https://www.virtualartacademy.com/how-to-draw-curves-accurately-the-one-big-secret/ 

Curved shapes are important in many paintings, not only in paintings with figures in them, but also if you are trying to capture the gesture of a particular tree, an archway on a bridge, or a vase.