Ann,
There seems to be two distinct camps: one side feels it necessary to teach
perspective; the other side thinks the system of perspective is a hindrance
to students' ability to draw naturally. As Abe Lincoln said, "Some of my
friends are for it, some of my friends are against it... I am for my friends."
In other words, I see both the positive and negative aspects of teaching it.
But I do feel that learning basic perspective skills is a valuable lesson in
art history as well as a useful drawing tool for students--especially for
design-oriented students. A basic lesson showing the mechanics of horizon
line and vanishing points (one and two-point perspective boxes) helps
students grasp how a basic perspective grid works.
Keep it simple. Be patient. Have fun working it through. Making sure
students get the angles of lines to vanishing points correct is important.
Once they learn to sketch simple
boxes (or other shapes) from different angles of perspective they'll be able
to visualize depth (whether you're having them draw from pictures or real
life). It'll help them build their own intuitive method of blocking out
forms and solving spatial problems as they sketch initial compositions.
Book suggestions: A Foundation Course in Drawing (nice transition from
perspective to drawing from life) by Petter Stanyer and Terry Rosenberg;
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain (perennial favorite) by Dr. Betty
Edwards.
This is one of several lesson options I give to high school students. It's a
bit more advanced (after several weeks of basic skills) but shows the basic
ingredients that they can build on:
http://scribblesinstitute.com/fax_academy/HumP1.html (High school students
enjoy drawing vehicles.)
With all that said, I also feel that once perspective drawing is learned it
should be put aside, and students should learn to look for overlapping,
edges, space, and relationships between objects in a composition.
Good luck! Would like to know how it goes.
Rob
www.RobCourt.com
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