So I asked myself, which is easier to draw, a circle or a square? And I answered myself (Ok I've snapped ) , the square silly. After an long discussion back a forth I decided that the reason it is easier to draw a square than a circle is that with a square, after you draw the first side, you only have to make three more decisions correctly placing the next three corners. But with a circle ( Defined as: A circle is a closed figure with an infinite number of points on the figure the same distance from the center point.) you have to make an infinite number of decisions and believe me that is a lot ! In fact I am not sure philosophically if it is even possible to draw and infinite number of points. Yet some how we do it. Whew a lot of work. And as we draw each point ( I know we don't really cause we just push our pencil right on through them all) we have to make sure each one is equal distant from the center point. Ok, this is where I wax artistically left brained, when I ask, where is the center dot in my circles? I don't have one . I wonder, would it be easier to draw a circle free hand if I were to put a dot down first where I wanted the center of my circle to be? Try it. It helped me.

I haven't thought it out as much as you did! But, I was always making them clockwise and they looked terrible. So, I started trying to make them counterclockwise and I am now making beautiful circles.

Ya, but your circles are all backwards now !

Hey all,

I had that same experience when drawing the volleyball in my last gallery submission. It seemed as though every time I looked at the ball it had a small flat spot somewhere. So, naturally I would recircle the ball trying to remove the flat spot only to create another one. Whereby, eventually I had to say stop as my ball was becoming a Beachball rather than a Volleyball.

Now I think I got the ball too big and it looks disproportionate with the players hand. Because of the size, it looks as if the ball is closer to the viewer than the player, which was not the intended effect. Like "dperry" suggested, maybe I'll try drawing backward circles for a while and see if that makes any difference.

Thanks for sharing this thought Calvin.

Eric

You have hurt my brain now with that personally i feel that its quite impossible to draw a circle free hand although i pride myself that i get it pretty close .. i think it all depends on how steady your hand eye co-ordinations are .... Calvin stop with these philosphicals and just draw i found if i think about it too much i never get it right




I always dreaw counter clockwise .. but i think it all depends if you are left or right handed .. but dont quote me on that

I can't draw circles...or straight lines. I think I'm in trouble here LOL.

The trick to drawing circles is to draw from your elbow or shoulder instead of resting your wrist on the paper and making tight lines.

Move your whole arm when creating your circle and you'll find that it will be much more accurate.

[font=Lucida Console]Hi -

I'm new here and saw the postings about drawing circles. I recently had a technical drawing class and cut out some circle and square points from my notes and posted them in an album, which can be viewed in the gallery (under the name of: Cammy). I'm sure that was not the correct place to put them so I apologize about that and will learn where everything goes soon. I just noticed you can insert images in these postings. OOPS! Sorry!

Hopefully they will help somebody.

Thanks

~ Cammy

[attachmentid=1528][attachmentid=1529][attachmentid=1530][attachmentid=1531][attachmentid=1532]

You folks are making WAY too big of an issue of drawing a circle.

Try this: Pick up a cup, bowl, plate anything round that is the size you need and draw around it.

There is no glory in being able to draw a circle freehanded.

LOL Painter I was gonna suggest just using a circle stencil. They sell them at most art stores and then you have perfect circles all of the time, but I too do like trying to master them myself. Your suggestions are great for large circles though!!!

Venus, you're right. You could also use a stencil or a compass or whatever.

My point is they are making it far more complicated than it needs to be. hahahahha Just think, if every time you needed to draw a circle you had to go through the above formula? NOT! What if you were drawing a polka dotted dress? Jeeeez - it would take you forever. Get my drift?

I do what Jeanette does...using my entire arm including the shoulder I just keep going around and around in a circular motion with light pressure until I have a desent circle...then I go in tight ...turning the paper as I outline the circle then I erase the lines that don't work...or I do what Joanie does if I have something equal to the size I want...hehehehe

IMO this is why we can't draw a circle....our logical side is over thinking it way to much....if you want to do it freehand...then don't think... just do it!!!! Hehehehehehe

Suggestion...try drawing a circle as suggested by Miss Jeanette (using your shoulder) and post it in this thread....do alot of them on a piece of sketch paper until it feels comfortable!!!

As you repeat this exercise you'll be surprised at how much you improve in just a wee bit of time!

Laura