250 Box Challenge
7:41 AM, Friday June 12th 2020
My attempt of the 250 Box Challenge,
I have learned some of the basics Perspective key-points through this exercise.
Notes to myself and for others:
- Horizon and Vertical axis (height of the box depending on your orientation)
The Y symbol that you draw will establish the directions to the Vanishing Points as all lines on the box must meet their respective vanishing points. The first lines you draw will establish the placement of the Vanishing Points on the "Horizon" Line. This horizon line Must be 90° to the line on which the "Vertical" Vanishing points sits on for the box to exist as a Box and not an extruded arbitrary 4 sided shape (Quadrilateral)
2 . Foreshortening
Extremely Foreshortened boxes have their Vanishing Points extremely close to the edges of the boxes, this in-turn makes it harder to draw accurate boxes as the point of reference is much closer (and when extending your lines, your mistakes will be more noticeable). The Vanishing points may only be less than 3cm away from the box you intend to draw and the difference of a few millimeters will throw the accuracy of your box out of proportions the closer your vanishing points are.
3 . Starting Y Shape (Orientation)
I have used the Y generator that UNCOMFORTABLE recommended here.
However, i have realized after drawing 50 or so boxes that the generator outputs boxes of the 'isometric view' nearly 80% of the time doesn't really help you when trying out different orientations.
One method to create arbitrary 3/4 angled boxes is to first plot 3 dots in a triangle in any orientation and then place a middle dot somewhere within this triangle configuration (it can be anywhere within the 3 dots). After which you connect the dots from the centre to create your Y shape. Then from there you locate your Vanishing points and draw said box.
4 . Best to have 3 different colours for their own respective vanishing points. (personal preference)
After about ~100 boxes, promised my self to use a RED pen for the vertical axis (of which i always orient downwards for simplicity) and then BLUE and YELLOW for the Right and Left vanishing points respectively with reference from the RED Lines.
5 . When drawing your boxes, consider their cross-sections throughout the process.
I only noticed this towards the final few pages when doing this exercise. That is when you draw the Y and the first face of your box, take notice of your box's cross-section. if one side of your box is a SQUARE but the opposite end begins to resemble a rectangle or something other than a square. Something is already Wrong
Towards the end, i marked on my extended lines those that converge too early with a C and those that diverge with a D. they refer to lines with arrow heads on them. (I only did this for Lines extending from the BACK CORNER )
When i first started, it took me 5-7 minutes to draw one box.
towards page ~24 it took me about ~10 minutes to complete a page of 8.
I understand what others mean by "towards the end, you don't have to measure out the box. You'll be able to see the box"
Though i still have a distance to go as i still hesitate and "Measure my boxes" every now and then.
Thank you for reading this if you did.
(I wrote this so if my understanding is wrong, people would be able to help me clarify.) C: