– Theme –

My project’s theme is New York’s time square. I visited there last summer, and was fascinated by those buildings, brightly adorned with billboards and advertisements. Times Square is sometimes referred to as “The Crossroads of the World”,”The Center of the Universe, and the “heart of the world”. It is one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions, drawing an estimated 50 million visitors annually. Therefore, time square is a perfect theme to show a variety of cultures and value in perspective (to create the feeling of distance).

How it all started…

What is one point perspective? It is a drawing method that shows how things appear to get smaller as they get further away, converging towards a single vanishing point on the horizon line. It is a way of drawing objects upon a flat piece of paper so that they look three-dimensional and realistic. The horizon line, also known as eye level, is the axis around which a perspective drawing is constructed.

First, I used a pencil to mark the horizon line and the vanish point. Then, drew different squares/rectangles (those are going to be the signs), all horizontal lines should be parallel to the horizon line. Next, connected all shapes’ edge, with a line, to the vanish point. However, when the line hits another object, it can’t go any further. I already have my drawings pictured before starting, so I was able to finish the draft really fast. But that is not the real challenge…

 

Never ending problems …

We were to apply the skill of wash technique, where you mix and create multiple colors using a lot of water. This technique applies better on the bigger surface with more space, which is the sky. However, mine takes place at night. It is hard to tell the colors’ value, when everything is black. So I applied it on further city buildings. Since they are in the distance, it makes sense to be blurry. On the other hand, objects that are closer should be detailed. I spent most of my time drawing all the sign’s icons and symbols. Forgetting Ms. Oda’s warning: First paint the big objects, then move towards the smaller details. Once again, I ran out of time. I couldn’t finish all signs in time, so I just have to quickly paint the rest. (with no details)

 

Process of creation …

I traced all objects with a black marker, some thicker some thinner, to create different values and proportions. By doing this, it emphasizes each signs, and made a big contrast between light and dark. (since most signs are bright colors) I use darker colors of the edges of objects, to create its shadow. When writing words for the signs, the closer it is, the bigger. And I tried to not cluster all signs together, to balance it out.

 

Peer’s Work

I really like Annie’s perspective drawing. First of all, she used washing technique to create different values of blue for the sky. All of the windows on the buildings are equally measured and colored. Some are lighter, some are darker, to make the overall picture more interesting and colorful. Moreover, all objects gradually get smaller, to make more realistic. These aspects make great harmony.