Learning how to draw objects, figures, and forms by using the block-in technique of drawing

Drawing and Blocking In First

The Importance of Blocking-in.

Blocking in the basic shapes and form that makes up an object or figure is a very valuable skill for an artist to have. getting the general shape and relative proportions of the component parts of the picture before endeavoring to describe, in line or tint, any of the minor details or even main characteristics of the picture. The group or figure as a whole, rather than the objects in a group or the minor details in a figure, are the points to be fixed at the outset, with guide-lines, as few and faint as possible. Every change in direction should be thus indicated. The purpose of this may be made clear when it is stated that it would be advisable to get the general shape of a tree before drawing the individual leaves thereof.

Blocking-in has more than an immediate value to the artist, for its use as a method of initial procedure induces a correct habit of observation. It maintains and increases the tendency to look at the whole before the parts, to seek mass rather than detail. For all time it broadens the style of the artist.

Some Example of Blocking-in

The manner of blocking-in, as shown in Fig. 1 above, is the way to start a copy of the shoe found in Fig. 2. Pick out the general direction of the lines in the original where simple geometrical figures may be formed. After the exercise of a little imagination the eye can form lines that correspond with forms with which he is familiar, such as the square, the triangle, trapezoid, etc. It may be well to reiterate that the blocking-in lines always should be represented in the drawing by pencil marks so faint that they can be easily erased as soon as their presence is no longer necessary.

Now You Try to Block-in a Shoe or Other Familiar Object

Take a shoe or other familiar object from our your house. Place it in front of you and now try to block-in this object's shape. After you blocked-in the basic shape and outline of the shoe (or other object)...then go in and add more detail. What do you think about the blocking-in method? Did it help you?

Figs. 3 and 4 below are some more examples of the blocking-in method. Below you can see a boy drawing, the profile of another boy's face, and an American Eagle.