Here in Lesson 15 the subject of Foreshortening is focused on. Foreshortening is something that is avoided by many cartoonists today, especially the people who impersonate cartoonists, or people who call themself cartoonists.  I guess it is something they do not think is important.  I wouldn't call a plumber if I needed some cabinet work done . . . why would you call a writer to do a cartoon for you ?  It is insulting to the cartoonist.  Just as a plumber would be insultedted if you used a cabinetmaker to your plumbing over and over again. 

There are times when you MUSTuse foreshortening in your drawings. Learn at least a couple or three positions, they will bring some 'punch' to your art.

In this lesson, titled "Shadows" . . . It's good to understand the principle at least, especially when you are applying gray wash tones on your drawings . . .in fact, it's imperative you understand this principle of understanding your light source on each drawing before applying your shading in their proper places.  Understanding this clearly really makes your drawings  come alive and three-dimensional!

 

 

In this chapter, "Perspective" is tackled and briefly explained in a couple of examples mostly used: one-point and two-point perspective is explained.

Also, below in The Walter Foster series of art books I show you the most famous and comprehensive for it's size of the Ernest Nordling books on perspective. I still have this item on my shelf.  Ernest published additional books on the subject but this one here is still talked about and when I attended Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C. in 1966, I rememberThe Ernest Nordling books on perspective were endorsed and recommended by my instructor, Mr. Schmutzhart.

 

 

 

Here in chapter 17, Perspective continues, showing you its importance even in simple cartooning !  Sooner or later you will need to use perspective and sometimes you will wish you studied a little bit harder on the subject.  You need at least the "basics" in perspective,

I promise.  Learn at least the basics.

 

 

 

This next section is called "Details", in fact, they have two pages of lessons actually showing you popular scenes you'll need sooner or later in depicting certain feelings in your drawings, shown below . . .

 

 

 

 

 

It's good to have a few of these in your bag of tricks where you can pick one out and do a variation or so.

sooner or later you'll need to learn something like this, in your own style, to use.