Art Thief: Draw a violin
Experienced Art Thieves know that the best way to draw a complex shape is to break it down into simple ones. We do that today with this beautiful violin. Don't let those elegant curves fool you. They are constructed of common ovals that you can easily draw. The tricky part is getting them to align on a center line - so don't forget to start your drawing with a vertical guideline.
Fiddle me this
How do Art Thieves draw complex curved objects? By combining simple, curved shapes. Are you ready to give it a try?
1. Start with a very light vertical guideline on your paper. This line will be erased later, so keep it light. Center two big ovals on the vertical line. The top one is a bit smaller and located halfway between the top and bottom of the guideline.
2. The two ovals on the side are a bit trickier. They each tilt slightly inward. (See blue arrows.) The little ovals don’t actually touch the big ones.
3. Notice how the fingerboard is narrower at the top and extends all the way to the bottom of the top oval?The next part is a little tricky. Erase the outside of the small ovals where you see the dotted blue lines here. Then connect the areas you see outlined in solid blue.
4. Erase any unneeded lines. Now we add detail to the violin. The scroll goes on the top, and then there are the four pegs. The F-holes are those cut-out curlicues. The bridge is in the middle (it raises the strings), and the chin rest and tailpiece are on the bottom.
5. Violins are usually wood tone, but make yours any color you like. If you use watercolor, allow the paint to vary in darkness. It’s ok to see the brushwork. I’ve added an inline to the violin’s body, and drawn a bow, too.
Or mail to:
Amy Raudenbush
Phila. Daily News
801 Market St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
