Sighting 101

       •Drawing from observation has challenges in accuracy than with other types of drawings.  Drawing a three-dimensional form on a 2-dimensional surface  of translation sometimes poses a problem.

        •The process of sighting can assist with making this translation be successful. •A sighting stick is the basic tool for the process of sighting. 

       •*Always keep your arm full extended and elbow locked when sighting.  This establishes a constant                                      scale, which is very important for sighting proportional relationships.

•You can tip stick left or right not front or backwards. *this can be tempting for establishing foreshortening.

•Trick: imagine the stick is within a 2D pane of glass – tip it front or back it will break.

•Use Monocular vision when sighting rather than binocular vision

•In still life when you have many objects in an arrangement to be drawn you must begin by establishing which object is your POINT OF REFERENCE.  This is ideally an object that you can see in its entirety and that can be broken down in at least two relationships (height and width) •A landmark is identifiable point on any form that you can refer back to.  - an easily identifiable reference point.

•There are 3 essential uses for sighting that aid in observing and recording information accurately. 

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1. Relative Proportions

•Make relative measurement by measuring holding the stick with your thumb.

•Achieve relative Landmarks

•Establish relative measurement of the distance between any two parts or points on the form.

•With this you can establish greater accuracy in your drawings.

To achieve relative proportions, begin with establishing the relationships between the total width of the object (distance from the farthest left to the farthest right

•By rotating the stick you can observe how many times the width of the form repeats itself in the height of the form.

•You can then maintain the same relationship in drawing the form, no matter how large or small you may choose to represent it.

•Sight what you perceive as the smallest measurement first, and then compare it to the larger measurement.

      •Always work from general to specific always recording the larger, simplier relationships before the detail.

      •Sight from One Landmark to the next.  Remember the landmark indicates any point on a form that you find and can refer back to over and over again.  Landmarks usually occur at places when different parts of a form meet or come together (This is called Point of Articulation). Or when there is a sudden directional change along the edges or surface of a form.

•The Clock Approach:

   When you have observed an angle, run your stick along the angle you are observing,  imagine your stick running through the face of a clock to a specific time.

 Sighting Vertical/Horizontal Alignment

  Look for 3 or 4 landmarks horizontal or vertically to create plumb lines.

    This will allow for assistance in determining relative size and placement of objects in a complex arrangement of forms 

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