Drawing
This domain tests observation, proportion, perspective and value control. Questions may ask you to explain construction, correct a drawing error or describe a shading sequence for a still life.
Core rules
- Begin with the whole before the part: envelope, major axes, negative shapes and comparative measurements.
- Use a plumb line and a pencil/thumb measure to compare widths, heights and angles. Check figure proportion with head units; the adult eye line is roughly halfway down the head, and the standing figure is commonly taught as 7.5–8 heads.
- Perspective: horizon line = eye level; one-point for a frontal box, two-point for a corner view, three-point for tall or low viewpoints. Ellipses become wider as they approach eye level.
- Line: contour describes edges; cross-contour describes form; gesture captures action; construction lines build structure.
- Value logic: highlight, halftone, core shadow, reflected light, cast shadow and occlusion shadow. Squint or use a notan thumbnail to simplify.
- Hatching, cross-hatching, stippling and blending are mark strategies, not substitutes for observed value.
- Composition starts with thumbnails: crop, focal point and direction of light.
Worked example
Draw a mug at eye level. Set the horizon at the mug’s rim height. Draw a vertical centre line and two vertical sides. The top ellipse is a shallow straight line at eye level; as the mug is lowered, the ellipse opens. The bottom ellipse is more curved than the top because it is farther from eye level. The handle is a loop on the side plane, not a flat C. The cast shadow falls opposite the light and anchors the object. The reasoning: establish eye level, then derive every curve from it.
Traps that cost marks
- Symbol drawing: drawing what you know rather than what you see.
- Outlining only, with no value structure.
- Pointed ellipses and inconsistent horizon lines.
- Over-blending until the surface is lifeless and the light direction is lost.
- Making the cast shadow too dark or placing it on the light side.