HOW TO DRAW ALMOST ANY OBJECT Observational SKETCHING MARIKO HIGAKI 335039 - Observational Sketching_001-128.indd 1 30/12/19 12:45 PM 335039 - Observational Sketching_001-128.indd 1 30/12/19 12:54 PM ((FF5522))__TTiittllee:: 333355003399 -- OObbsseerrvvaattiioonnaall SSkkeettcchhiinngg Text PPaaggee:: 11 Introduction Are you familiar with observational sketching? Put simply, it means observing things in your life and sketching them. I first learned about observational sketching on Twitter in the spring of 2018. You can find lots of beautiful sketches by searching the hashtag #ObservationalSketching (#観察スケッチ in Japanese). I've always liked observing things and I enjoy sketching; it's something I use to communicate in my work. But when I clicked on that hashtag, I realized that sketching also lets you share things you enjoy with others. I made this book to inspire you with the joys of observational sketching. It features examples of sketches and tips for observing different kinds of materials. I also explain how to practice and improve so you can enjoy sketching even if you aren't confident in your skills. The products in our daily lives were made by designers, engineers, marketers, and many others. If we pretend to be Sherlock Holmes and observe these objects diligently, we start to understand the thoughts and intentions that went into them, and we can imagine the various steps involved in their creation. We start to notice special things about them for the first time. I hope this book will help you communicate the joys you find in your everyday surroundings. Mariko Higaki 335039 - Observational Sketching_001-128.indd 2 30/12/19 12:45 PM 335039 - Observational Sketching_001-128.indd 2 30/12/19 12:54 PM ((FF5522))__TTiittllee:: 333355003399 -- OObbsseerrvvaattiioonnaall SSkkeettcchhiinngg Text PPaaggee:: 22 Thme olcdaseed iAs iBnjSection- Thbeu tmtomn i-s > a isnacvih or… Lodoom kcnoso ulnniimtknoeee rrciiytnc ogaau l i tfc earynmo iu nal Thwipsh irulecellshea el tciotbvrAoueio klhsstvt alia!ailntkuiteeco act ahkpee aybcbiotoiaarvrde d,ew irntechao dad s era, Inctsoeilnigrdcauol cnmteivole dipnolgS yqomfu iesar hand Thofea tmrheiavsz ieTbrnrsoageac rseids diose f welding SHTASA#tIrNROeDnLbsgEEteSrNhSveEantDieod nbaly Sbkaekticnhgi?ng Stick Flfoodrp auppstcytrch efsuei vrlmieeocnnmulotc ianontied gn egr in InFcrahest tvsheecerrnsseeee wd s sfic#rrd1o ee xmw w 1si/tt3hh e2 4 of Digital caliper 335039 - Observational Sketching_001-128.indd 3 30/12/19 12:45 PM 335039 - Observational Sketching_001-128.indd 3 30/12/19 12:54 PM ((FF5522))__TTiittllee:: 333355003399 -- OObbsseerrvvaattiioonnaall SSkkeettcchhiinngg Text PPaaggee:: 33 Contents Introduction .........................................2 How to use this book.................................6 Chapter 1 Chapter 3 The Appeal of Observational Sketching 7 How to Observe 41 Sample 1: Observational Sketching Why This Material? Why This Shape? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 by Shoichi Sato ..................................10 Understanding Plastic by Observing Sample 2: Observational Sketching an Alarm Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 by Hiyo..........................................12 Understanding Plastic by Observing Sample 3: Observational Sketching a Vaseline Container.............................48 by chi-bit ........................................14 Understanding Glass by Observing a Cup...........52 Sample 4: Observational Sketching Understanding Metal by Observing by Kanwa Nagafuji...............................16 a Titanium Mug .................................56 Sample 5: Observational Sketching Understanding Wood by Observing by Seiji Miyazawa................................18 a Pen Stand......................................60 The Artists’ Tools ...................................20 Understanding Fabric by Observing a Backpack.......................................64 Considering the Entire Life of a Product.............68 Chapter 2 Fundamentals of Sketching You Can Use Right Away 21 1. Basic Posture and Equipment You'll Need . . . . . . . . .22 2. Drawing a Straight Line Exactly as You Intend....23 3. Drawing Circles and Ellipses......................24 4. Understanding Proportion Through Orthographic Drawings..........................26 5. Understanding Perspective Drawing ..............27 6. Expressing the Structure of an Object with Simple Shapes ..............................30 7. How to Draw Organic Shapes .....................35 8. Rendering in a Way that Communicates the Shape and Material...........................38 Draw Freely and Easily..............................40 335039 - Observational Sketching_001-128.indd 4 30/12/19 12:45 PM 335039 - Observational Sketching_001-128.indd 4 30/12/19 12:54 PM ((FF5522))__TTiittllee:: 333355003399 -- OObbsseerrvvaattiioonnaall SSkkeettcchhiinngg Text PPaaggee:: 44 Chapter 4 Conclusion ........................................120 Let’s Do Some Observational Sketching! . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 About the Author ..................................121 Flow of steps........................................72 Appendix 1: Basic Types of Plastic .................122 Step 1: Finding Your Subject Matter .............74 Appendix 2: Other Titles from Rockport............124 Step 2: Writing Basic Notes .....................75 Index ..............................................126 Step 3: Rough Sketching ........................76 Step 4: Finishing ................................77 Observing Observational Sketchings................78 1. Soy Sauce Bottle with Lid S (iwaki) ............80 2. NEW Krewrap (Kureha).......................82 3. BC02 Alarm Clock (Braun)....................84 4. Digital Caliper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86 5. Pen Stand.....................................88 6. Vaseline Pure Skin Jelly Original (Unilever)...90 7. Titanium-Single Cup 300 (Snow Peak).........92 8. Wi-Fi Body Scale (Withings) ..................94 9. Series 7TM (Fritz Hansen) ....................96 10. The Modern Zip Backpack (Everlane) ........98 11. LEGO Minifigures (LEGO)..................100 12. DYMO 1540-00 (Sanford)....................102 13. Ray-Ban Wayfarer Folding (Luxottica Group S.p.A).....................104 14. Barcelona Chair (Knoll) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106 15. Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate N (Shiseido)................................108 16. Bodega (Bormioli Rocco)....................110 17. Withings Steel (Withings)...................112 18. Apple Remote (Apple) ......................114 19. Mac Mini (Apple)...........................116 20. Stool 60 (Artek).............................118 335039 - Observational Sketching_001-128.indd 5 30/12/19 12:45 PM 335039 - Observational Sketching_001-128.indd 5 30/12/19 12:54 PM ((FF5522))__TTiittllee:: 333355003399 -- OObbsseerrvvaattiioonnaall SSkkeettcchhiinngg Text PPaaggee:: 55 In chapters 1, 3, and 4, you can read from any How to Use This Book page. In chapter 2, I recommend reading from the beginning. Chapter 1 The Appeal of Q&A with Example of artist observational Observational sketching Sketching Examples of observational sketching and comments by What’s amazing the artists. about the artist Artist profile Chapter 2 Fundamentals of Sketching You Can Use Right Away This introduction on how to draw is for anyone wondering how to go about sketching. Chapter 3 How to Observe This chapter provides a simple introduction to materials and processing methods used for products in our daily lives. Chapter 4 Let’s Do Some Observational Sketching! The basic observational sketching flow and samples of the author's work are featured in this chapter. 6 OBSERVATIONAL SKETCHING 335039 - Observational Sketching_001-128.indd 6 30/12/19 12:46 PM 335039 - Observational Sketching_001-128.indd 6 30/12/19 12:54 PM ((FF5522))__TTiittllee:: 333355003399 -- OObbsseerrvvaattiioonnaall SSkkeettcchhiinngg Text PPaaggee:: 66 O T h b e s e A r v p a p t e io a n l o a l f S k e t c h i n g C h a p t e r 1 Observational sketching has been embraced by many people on social media and has become a movement. One of the intriguing aspects is that the objects observed and the tools used will vary from person to person. In this chapter, you’ll find an outline of the movement and some sketches by artists whose enthusiasm jumps off the page. What would you draw? How would you draw it? Enjoy the process as you find your own style! 7 335039 - Observational Sketching_001-128.indd 7 30/12/19 12:46 PM 335039 - Observational Sketching_001-128.indd 7 30/12/19 12:54 PM ((FF5522))__TTiittllee:: 333355003399 -- OObbsseerrvvaattiioonnaall SSkkeettcchhiinngg Text PPaaggee:: 77 What Is Observational Sketching? Observational sketching means to observe and sketch objects in your daily life. In 2018, the spatial designer Masatoshi Yamashita posted some of his know-how on the web. This led to the popularization of the hashtag #観察スケッチ (#ObservationalSketching). In observational sketching, we observe objects in our daily lives. All of these objects were made by people. When we observe carefully, time starts to flow in a way that's different from usual. We notice certain functions and examples of design creativity for the first time, and the affection we feel for the item grows deeper. These are just a few of the things that make observational sketching special. There are no detailed rules in observational sketching—that's all the more reason to find your own style. In this chapter, we see how five artists have enjoyed observational sketching in their own unique ways. 8 OBSERVATIONAL SKETCHING 335039 - Observational Sketching_001-128.indd 8 30/12/19 12:46 PM 335039 - Observational Sketching_001-128.indd 8 30/12/19 12:54 PM ((FF5522))__TTiittllee:: 333355003399 -- OObbsseerrvvaattiioonnaall SSkkeettcchhiinngg Text PPaaggee:: 88