#5 – The Model Sheet

Due Friday, April 9.

10 marks     2 hours

I hope you got some blank drawing paper ready to use.  We are going to work on drawing and designing sculptures using MODEL SHEETS.   The model sheet is used to plan a 3D sculpture, usually for an animation character.  The goal for this unit is to expand your 3D awareness so that you can design a sculpture from each of the different views that it occupies.

Lesson 1

In this lesson I would like you to experience drawing a simple object that you have at homefrom multiple points of view.  The views will be: 1. Front view, 2. Side view, 3. Back view, and 4. ¾ view.  

You need:    a clean sketchbook page, a pencil, an eraser, a ruler or a straight edge, an everyday object from your room that has some contours to it (this could be a cartoon character, a water bottle, or a lamp). Preferably the object should be taller than it is wide.  Place this object flat on your desk at eye level facing squarely front view.

1st:  Lay your page landscape layout (so the wide side lays across, not up and down) .

2nd. Divide your page into four vertical sections across the page. Each of these sections will be for one of the four drawings. (see the example above)

3rd. In the far left section draw the object from the front view so that the object fills the entire first section. Draw it as tall as you can while still fitting it into that section.  Keep your drawing as close to the LEFT EDGE of the page as you can.  Draw carefully and thoroughly, showing the outside contour and the inside features.

4th: Note 4 significant horizontal points on the object that you have drawn.  (In the drawing above the significant points are the top of his shoe, the bottom of his shorts, the crotch of his shorts, and his eyebrows.) Use your noted four points to draw four horizontal lines across the entire page approximately. You will use these lines as guidelines for maintaining the placement of the important landmarks of the object.  Notice how in the drawing above the kid’s shorts end at the same line for all 4 drawings.  And the stripe on his shirt lands on the same line for all 4 drawings.  His eyes are located on the same horizontal line for all 4 drawings, etc.  This is why you put the horizontal lines on the page.

5th:  Draw the object from the side view.  Be sure that the landmark parts of the object line up horizontally with the drawing of the front and the object is drawn the same total height.

6th Draw the object from the back view.  Be sure that the landmark parts of the object line up horizontally with the drawing of the front and the object is drawn the same total height.

7th. Draw the object from the ¾ view, that is with it facing sort of sideways and still a little to the front. Be sure that the landmark parts of the object line up horizontally with the drawing of the front and the object is drawn the same total height.

Label each view “Front”, Back”, “Side”, “3/4”

That’s it!!!   Well done 😊  Give yourself a pat on the back.  You are now a certified model sheet illustrator.  Take a photo of your model sheet and email it to me.   Your practice model sheet will be marked out of 10

*thoroughness of drawing in each of 4 views

*consistency and accuracy of horizontal points

Check out this model sheet illustrator’s video:

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