Understanding 10 Key Principles of Graphic Representation
Principle of Multiple Application
This patterning process involves the use of a simple figure to represent a variety of objects and body parts. With a limited graphic vocabulary, an artist can represent very different things. This process is useful for its economy of means and communicative effectiveness.
Principle of the Baseline
The baseline is a horizontal line that crosses the drawing near the bottom, serving as the support for characters, animals, plants, and objects. It is a very useful graphical procedure that solves the problem of three-dimensional representation.
The division of horizontal stripes, indicated by the baseline, helps show:
- What is above and what is below.
- Which elements are closer and which are farther.
The baseline can be clear or match the bottom edge of the paper. It can be single or multiplied, and its importance often increases with age (developmental stage). The baseline has its counterpart in the symmetric skyline, often marked by a blue stripe or a row of clouds and birds.
Principle of Perpendicularity
This principle describes the perpendicular relationship between an object and the base upon which it rests. Whenever the baseline is horizontal, objects stand at right angles to it. However, if the baseline is tilted, objects also appear slanted. For example, consider the chimney of a house drawn on a hill.
Principle of the Importance of Size
Human figures, body parts, or objects that are more important from an emotional, functional, or semantic standpoint are drawn with a larger size. Sometimes, the hand performing an action is drawn with a considerably larger size.
Examples of this proportional distortion include:
- Human figures being equal to or greater than buildings.
- Hands being much wider in proportion to the width of the arm.
- Huge fruit drawn on a tree.
Each figure must have a size appropriate for its description to be correct and easily understood.
Principle of Isolation of Components
When representing a set composed of similar elements (e.g., hair, grass), the artist draws each of its components one by one as if they were isolated units. For example, drawing individual strands of hair covering the head, or individual blades of grass covering a football field.
Principle of Territorial Imperative
Each item in the drawing has its own inviolable space. Everything intended to be in the picture must be shown in its entirety; nothing is displayed as overlaid or covered.
Principle of Exemplary Representation
When different modes of representation are possible, the one that best describes the object’s visual qualities is chosen. The object appears represented in the way that displays the most information.
Principle of Abatement
This principle involves mixing perspectives:
- Vertical elements (e.g., humans, trees) are always drawn predominantly from the front.
- Horizontal elements (e.g., swimming pools, football fields) appear in a bird’s-eye view (plan view).
Principle of Simultaneous Viewpoints
The figure is drawn according to the view that most closely approximates the exemplary manner (the most informative view). Therefore:
- Ears and eyes are always present on the face (even in profile).
- Hands often show their inner face (palm).
- Feet are always drawn in profile, even if the person is facing forward.
Principle of X-Ray Vision
This involves drawing everything necessary to explicitly describe the image, even if it requires making walls or cars transparent. This technique allows both the interior and exterior of an object to be shown simultaneously.