Tài liệu Simple Symmetry - Đối xứng pdf

Brenda Hoddinott

B-03: BEGINNER: LEARN TO SEE

With a focus on improving your observation skills, this project offers simple step-by-step
illustrated instructions, to guide aspiring artists through the process of drawing with a line of
symmetry. Many drawing subjects, including frontal views of faces, etc., look more believable
when drawn the same on both sides.
You need basic drawing supplies including paper, pencils, erasers, a pencil sharpener, a ruler,
and markers, crayons, or colored pencils if you want to add color to your design. The following
three sections guide you step-by-step through this project:
UNDERSTANDING SYMMETRY: A simple discussion combined with illustrations
provides a basic understanding of symmetry. Symmetry in drawing is a balanced arrangement
of lines and shapes, on opposite sides of an often-imaginary centerline.
DRAWING THE FIRST HALF: In this section, you draw simple shapes and lines on the
left of the line of symmetry. You need a ruler and pencils, as well as an eraser so you can fix

any lines you aren’t happy with.
ADDING A MIRROR IMAGE: Your goal in this section is to draw a mirror image of the
design. You should read through all the instructions and examine each drawing in this section
before you begin.

This project is recommended for artists from age 10 to adult, as well as home
schooling, academic and recreational fine art educators.
13 PAGES – 23 ILLUSTRATIONS
Published by Hoddinott Fine Art Publishers, Halifax, NS, Canada – Revised 2006



Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may
not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
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-2 -
UNDERSTANDING SYMMETRY
Symmetry in drawing is a balanced arrangement of lines and shapes, on opposite sides of an
often-imaginary centerline. Shape refers to the outward outline of a form. Basic shapes include
circles, squares and triangles. Lines are basically comprised of three families, straight, angle, and
curved, which can be combined to make line drawings. Each family includes an endless range of
different lines from thick, dark, and bold, to thin, light, and delicate. Many drawing subjects,
including frontal views of faces, etc., look more believable when drawn the same on both sides.
Imagine a line down the center of the following drawing, dividing it in half. On each side of this
line is a mirror image of the other. Both sides are symmetrical.
ILLUSTRATION 03-01

Can you see the
beautiful chalice in

this illustration?
Can you also see the
two old witches?
If you have
difficulty seeing
both images, refer
to Illustrations 03-
02 and 03-03.







ILLUSTRATION 03-02 ILLUSTRATION 03-03










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not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
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-3 -
Use your mind's eye to visualize an imaginary centerline right down the middle of this drawing
of a koala bear. Again, both sides are symmetrical.
ILLUSTRATION 03-04
















DRAWING THE FIRST HALF
In this section, you draw simple shapes and lines on the left of the line of symmetry. You need a
ruler and pencils, as well as an eraser so you can fix any lines you aren’t happy with.
ILLUSTRATION 03-05
1. Draw a square of any size,
preferably bigger than 4 by 4
inches.
2. Use your ruler to measure the
horizontal midpoint of your paper
at the top and bottom, and mark

each with a tiny dot.
3. Very lightly draw a line down the
center of the square dividing it
into two equal rectangles.
This line of symmetry serves as a
reference to help keep both sides of
your drawing symmetrical.




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not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
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-4 -
4. Draw a curved line in the upper half of the rectangle on the left.
Begin at a point on the line of symmetry near the top. Curve the line outward toward the
left and then downward and toward the right until it meets the line of symmetry.
ILLUSTRATION 03-06

Always place a piece of clean paper under your hand as you draw. Each
time you work on a new section, remember to move your paper so it’s always under
your hand. This prevents you from smudging your drawing, and protects the paper
from the oils in your skin.

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may
not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
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-5 -
5. Draw a compound curved line that extends from the top side of the rectangle down to
the bottom side.
Take note that this line doesn’t touch the line of symmetry.
Begin at a point on the top side, gently curve the line outward toward the left, and then
downward and toward the right until you are approximately halfway down the length of the
rectangle.
Gently curve the line back toward the left until it meets the lower side of the rectangle
close to its left side.
ILLUSTRATION 03-07

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not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
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-6 -
6. Choose a point on the last line you drew, closer to the top than the bottom and mark it
with a tiny dot.
7. Pick another point close to the bottom of the left side of the rectangle, and mark it
with a tiny dot.
8. Use a gently flowing curved line to connect the dots.

ILLUSTRATION 03-08

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may
not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
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-7 -
9. Add several straight lines inside the space created by the two lower curved lines.
Take note that the lines become progressively longer and farther apart the closer they are to
the bottom of the space. Watch closely the various directions in which the lines are angled.
ILLUSTRATION 03-09

ADDING A MIRROR IMAGE
Your goal in this section is to draw a mirror image of what’s inside the left rectangle, within the
perimeter of the second rectangle. Read through all the instructions and examine each drawing
before you begin. Then, put this lesson away, so you aren’t tempted to refer to my drawing
instead of your own.

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may
not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.

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-8 -
Drawing upside down or sideways exercises your right brain. The following illustrations show
four different views of the drawing. Experiment with each and choose whichever feels more
natural for you. For example, if you are left handed, you may want to try Illustration 03-12.
ILLUSTRATION 03-10 ILLUSTRATION 03-11














ILLUSTRATION 03-12 ILLUSTRATION 03-13

10. Draw a mirror image of your drawing in the second rectangle.
Examine the following four illustrations before you begin. Some tips to make the process
easier include:
Constantly refer to your first drawing on the opposite side of your paper. Imagine you
are drawing its reflection in a mirror.
Think about the shape of the spaces in between the various lines.
Concentrate on the directions in which the lines curve, as well as their angles and
lengths, as compared to your first drawing.

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may
not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
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-9 -
ILLUSTRATION 03-14

ILLUSTRATION 03-15

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may
not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
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- 10 -
ILLUSTRATION 03-16

ILLUSTRATION 03-17






















Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may
not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.

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- 11 -
You can greatly enhance your artistic development by practicing symmetry exercises. Put your
brain in gear and your pencil in motion and try each of the following.
ILLUSTRATION 03-18 ILLUSTRATION 03-19


















ILLUSTRATION 03-20 ILLUSTRATION 03-21

Try and find five to ten minutes each day to do symmetry exercises.
Make up your very own designs, and you can even color them in with colored
markers for additional fun!

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may
not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
E-mail
Web site
- 12 -
ILLUSTRATION 03-22

You may want to use colored
pencils or markers to add
color to your design. Here are
a couple of samples (colored
in Photoshop) to get your

creative juices flowing!









ILLUSTRATION 03-23

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this drawing class belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may
not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott.
E-mail
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- 13 -
BRENDA HODDINOTT - BIOGRAPHY
As a self-educated teacher, visual artist, portraitist, forensic artist, and illustrator, Brenda
Hoddinott utilizes diverse art media including graphite, technical pen, colored pencil, chalk
pastel, charcoal, conté crayon, and oil paints.
My philosophy on teaching art is to focus primarily on the
enjoyment aspects while gently introducing the technical and
academic. Hence, in creating a passion for the subject matter,
the quest for knowledge also becomes enjoyable.
>Brenda Hoddinott<
Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Brenda grew up in the small town of Corner Brook. She
developed strong technical competencies with a personal commitment to self directed learning,
and the aid of assorted “Learn to Draw” books. During Brenda’s twenty-five year career as a
self-educated civilian forensic artist, numerous criminal investigation departments have
employed Brenda’s skills, including Royal Canadian Mounted Police and municipal police
departments. In 1992, Brenda was honored with a commendation from the Royal Canadian
Mounted Police, and in 1994, she was awarded a Certificate of Membership from “Forensic
Artists International”.

Her home-based art career included graphic design, and teaching recreational drawing and
painting classes. As supervisor of her community’s recreational art department, Brenda hired and
trained teachers, and designed curriculum for several children’s art programs. In 1998, Brenda
chose to end her eighteen-year career as an art educator in order to devote more time to writing,
drawing, painting, and developing her websites.
Drawspace
incorporates her unique style and innovative approach to
curriculum development. This site offers downloadable and printable drawing classes for
students of all abilities from the age of eight through adult. Students of all ages, levels and
abilities have praised the simple step-by-step instructional approach. This site is respected as a
resource for fine art educators, home schooling programs, and educational facilities throughout
the world.
LEARN-TO-DRAW BOOKS BY BRENDA HODDINOTT
Drawing for Dummies (2003): Wiley Publishing, Inc., New, York, NY, this 336 page book
is available on various websites and in major bookstores internationally.
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Drawing People (2004): Winner of the Alpha-Penguin
Book of the Year Award 2004, Alpha - Pearson Education – Macmillan, Indianapolis, IN,
this 360 page book is available on various websites and in major bookstores internationally.