When drawing buildings from life....

[Pixeldragoon]

WHen you draw landscapes such as buildings or rooms FROM life, is it better to use a VP or go freehand?

[Elwell]

Interesting question. When you say "use a vanishing point" are you talkling about actually constructing the perspective with a straight edge? I'd recommend against doing that, both because it will make things harder to correct and it may give you a false sense of accuracy. Remeber, classical perspective is based on their being one fixed vantage point, and we seldom really have that when we're drawing from life. Every time you turn or tip your head even slightly you're changing the perspective. I'd say the best approach is to do as much as possible freehand, then check the VPs, etc. with a ruler to see if everything is making sense. See where any corections have to be made, then go back to doing it freehand. Repeat as necessary.
Often when working from life I'll use a pencil or brush handle to measure an angle and see where a line would go if it were extended.

[Dizon]

Im still baffled by this question today! hehe... I still eyeball it, but I need to go study a systematic way to do it, which Im not familiar with.

Recommendation: I think if you buy Rex Vicat Cole's book on Perspective, you will find the answer. Cuz, Perspective aint really just about Horizons, VP's , etc.

[Steinmetz]

enlighten us as to what it is about?

[itchy_tasty]

id say do it free hand, and check it in a mirror if it doesnt look right.
i alawys get screwed up using rulers.

[el coro]

from life, in my opinion it is absolutely necessary to eyeball it, because thats what drawing from life is all about. eyeballing angles from life is a treat that you should take advantage of, i think it will help greatly with spatial usage. if its imagined and you are doing something complicated, sure, use a vp, its a tool and a guide to set up a representative 3d space, but if you got the space in front of you, examine it and make accurate marks based off observation. thats my 2 cents anyway.-c36

[Main Loop]

you know what's really hard for me? drawing cars from life.. i just cant ever get the proportions right.. does anyone have any tips on that?

[Pixeldragoon]

Thanks for the opinions. I freehand it, but I got thinking after I had to demonstrate what a VP was and how it's used to this one kid. :D Me thinks Coro has a great point.