Loomis Flat Diagram- Need Explanation!

[Jamsey]

Hey

Ive seriously began to study anatomy, figure drawing, and have been recommended to read Loomis' books. Early on in the book he writes about "flat diagrams" and since I'm drawin more or less everything in his book, Im stuck with this because I dont understand it.

I dont understand how to structure the figure using the diagnals or even the 8 head box in perspective- can anyone help me out here?

Thanks

[xerenity]

Well, if I understand correctly, you're talking about "The Flat Diagram" from "Figure Drawing for All It's Worth".

To be perfectly honest, I always kinda skipped that part when going through the book, but I picked it up again tonight to understand what the lesson is. Just before that, Loomis describes breaking the figure up into sections, and memorizing those common locations for future use. I believe the flat diagram is just a quick aid to help you draw the figure in perspective without reference.

Now, he doesn't exactly go into describing "how" to draw the figure in perspective, but does show you how to lay down the lines. I think that maybe it just takes a little imagination and playing around with pencil in paper to figure out what his point is. Ultimately, is it important? Most likely. But, I'm not sure of your skill level, and maybe it's just better to leave it for another time.

Would love to hear others thoughts on this, because like I said, I usually just skipped over it :P

[john_d]

Ditto. I always skipped that part too. It's one way of looking at perspective, but not the most intuitive.

[Elwell]

What a blast form the past. One of the earliest threads I posted in on CA was about this. (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10748)

[xerenity]

What a blast form the past. One of the earliest threads I posted in on CA was about this. (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10748)

heh, that helped me understand it, ty :D

It's not really something to get hung up on though. In other words, if you get still get stuck on it, move on and try again later. It really isn't necessary throughout the rest of the book, you'll understand the important concepts without it.

[Jamsey]

Ah! Thanks everyone, i am now of basic understanding :P

Ya, Im not gonna be worried about leaving it. I understand the perspective side to it all, but seems pretty hard to construct a figure within the box (in perspec).

Oh well, thanks again guys...

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[George Abraham]

That is the most illogical and hard way to try and do stuff. It get's explained further on page 42(books page number).

It's maybe simpler to think of those plates being cross sections instead of the floor plates.

The aim of the exercise can be made better by the old, drawing elipses in perspective and then drawing sphere's. I guess he just tried to get an idea across instead of actually teaching a method.

I think loomis used his approach for floor planning and "room layout" in trying to explain the figure in space.

I remember when I saw that lesson the first time I was trying to make objects be a cut out from all the perspectives, It's not going to give you what you thought it would, close but no. Maybe if you are working with big marble blocks that would be a good idea.