Parabolic Line Design: Drawing Curves From Straight Lines

windowtoart "Drawing": Parabolic Design: Introduction Practices Line Choices

PART 1: PARABOLIC LINE, PRECISE STRAIGHT LINE ARTISTRY

PARABOLIC LINE DESIGN is very mathematical and precise--seemingly very uncreative. Ah, but once the rules are learned, creative minds can infuse the repetitious sequences of line drawing and weave them into exciting and often unexpected shape formations that exude lightness and have illusionary movement.

But first, one has to "pay the dues"-- discipline ones free forming instincts and restrain them with accurate mechanical measurement and precise line drawing. PART 1, the "drawing" aspect, will involve several linear formations. PART 2 will be three dimensional linear "Relief Sculpture" which builds upon the practices and designs learned and experienced.

As the process evolves, the initial excitement builds as one watches the end result unfold: creating a curve from many straight lines. There's lots to cover, so let's get started with some introductory practices!

We begin by drawing 2 right angle "axis" lines, and mechanically measuring 1/2" spaces (dots) on each one. (Large spacing at first for ruler-challenged students.) We used a limit of 6" in order to fit several line practices on one 12" X 18" drawing paper.

In the beginning, we numbered each dot noting very carefully, that the horizontal axis is consecutively numbered from left to right and the vertical axis is numbered from top to bottom. This is very important for the structure to be created. With increased experience, numbering was not necessary.

All Points are then connected together in sequence. Note that the intersection point is numbered "0". No action occurs in this area.

The animation below shows the general procedure of line drawing and the resulting parabolic curve. This is followed with other line constructions and more complexity.

We used a phrase to begin the constructions correctly and repeated it over and over until it was understood: connect from the inside corner point of 1 axis to the outside point of the other. It makes no difference upon which axis one starts. This is a very handy clue to remember, especially when a form has more than 2 lines as we will soon see.

CURVES IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS

Using our familiar computer paper, we first set it up to accommodate a variety of lines and shapes. Careful spacing prevented overlapped drawings.

The initial practice was the 6"X6" right angles, followed by the unequal 6"X3" axis lines above.

The acute triangle was next, follwed by the equilateral triangle at bottom right.

The triangle is a most interesting shape and can be formed into various configurations, and we did a few. See the next page!

What do the curves look like when they're done? See the finished prep sheet, a very good introduction to Parabolic Curves.

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