Putting Things in Perspective

With realistic art it is important to scale things accurately.  I could have gotten into a whole lot of trouble with this bull elk's antlers not being sized right and in the correct position.  One tool that kept me out of error was my proportional divider.  It is a tool used by architects but can also be very useful for artists.

Here is my reference photo that I was using of this Roosevelt elk on the Olympic peninsula in Washington.  He is shown here with his head down grazing.  For my composition, I wanted his head upraised with those magnificent antlers highlighted.  And for drama's sake, I wanted his mouth open for bugling.  So I was going to have to change the head position and keep everything in perspective.  

To accomplish this, I made two photo copies of my reference photo.  I cut one head and antlers out to move into the area I figured it would be for bugling.  Once settled on the new position, I sketched out a grid to help with accuracy.

 Using my proportional divider to compare sizes of antler from the photo to the larger sketch on my painting...

I was able to draw the antlers in correct position to have a believable looking bull elk.

I find much in art that contains great metaphors for my life.  The use of my proportional divider reminds me, as my art manikin Michelangelo demonstrates, of how God's Word is like a proportional divider for my life.  When I am making decisions or have gotten off track, I can come to God's Word and find instruction or correction to make a good decision or adjustment in my life.  

Well, better get back to my bull elk.  By the way...can you guess what the title is going to be for this painting?  Hint....it has to do with classical music!  Now just think about that elk and what he has or does that connects with classical music.  Hmmm... more on that next time!

Be brave and courageous!