Patent Application
20150243183
The present invention relates generally to a method of creating a visual artistic composition, and more particularly relates to a method of more quickly and thoroughly applying artistic principles of organization to a visual artwork by using Euclidean geometric constructions as a preliminary framework for the artwork.
Fine art has brought aesthetic pleasure and intellectual interest to the public for many centuries. Fine art paintings of sufficient quality for framing and prominent display are usually produced by professionally trained fine artists who have developed their skills over many years of study and practice. It can take several years for an artist to learn artistic rules of composition and other painting techniques to be able to create a visually interesting and dynamic artwork of a high professional quality.
In the fine visual arts, composition is the arrangement of objects or elements. Various established principles of organization can be used to create a composition. As is well known in the art, some of the principles of organization that affect composition of a visual artwork include:
Many novice artists have attempted to create high quality professional artwork, but find it difficult and/or time consuming to create a high quality painting, utilizing professional rules of composition and other painting techniques. Novice artists desire the ability to create a high quality painting, but are frustrated by their limited training, skill and limited time for practice.
Prior-art attempts to help novice painters create high quality works of art have been made. For example, “paint-by-numbers” is a well-known method of allowing novice artists to attempt to reproduce famous works of fine art. The method includes providing an outline of a reproduced work of art on an otherwise blank canvas and segmenting the outline into subsections according to color, wherein each subsection is numbered. The novice paints each numbered subsection with a particular color corresponding to the number. The problem with this technique is that it does not produce high quality paintings; it does not provide the novice with an opportunity to create a unique work of art; and the method is rather tedious and uninteresting.
Other known attempts include the use of painting guide sheets. U.S. Pat. No. 3,44,250 issued to Van Savage discloses a painting guide kit, using a transparent sheet and guide sheets containing an arrangement of painting information denoting certain objects to be painted. The transparent sheet is placed over the guide sheet and the artist paints on the transparent sheet, using successive guide sheets to paint various objects. In this manner, as the painting progresses, larger and larger areas may be painted on the transparent sheet without precise regard to the color boundaries and the previously painted areas are merely painted over. Nevertheless, this technique is limited in that it still does not provide the novice with an opportunity to create a unique work of art, as the artwork is limited to the predetermined images in the guide sheets. Also, because the images are predetermined the artist is not provided with an opportunity to practice applying principles of organization by allowing the artist to positions subjects on the canvas.
Many novice artists forego the use of such painting tools and instead use a blank canvas. However, as discussed above, it can take many years of professional training to be able to apply principles of organization and artistic rules of composition to create a unique high quality painting on a blank canvas. This requires consideration of proportion, cropping, space, lines, rhythm, repetition, pattern development, and other rules of composition, as discussed above. As such, novice artists become frustrated by their attempts.
Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above, which will allow artists to create a unique high quality visual artwork, utilizing methods and apparatuses that allow artists to more quickly and thoroughly apply professional principles of organization in a creative and interesting manner.
The invention provides a method of creating a visual artistic composition that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that provides novice artists with a framework to create high quality artwork that complies with principles of organization and artistic rules of composition.
With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a method of creating a visual artwork, the method including selecting a subject for the visual artwork; obtaining a canvas; identifying a Euclidean geometric construction; providing the Euclidean geometric construction on the canvas; determining a position for the subject using the Euclidean geometric construction; and producing an image of the subject on the canvas at the determined position to create the visual artwork.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes painting the image of the subject on the canvas at the determined position.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the method includes drawing the image of the subject on the canvas at the determined position.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the method includes aligning the subject with a line of the Euclidean geometric construction.
In accordance with the present invention, the method includes enclosing the subject within an area defined by a geometric shape of the Euclidean geometric construction.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes emphasizing a mathematically significant point on a line of the Euclidean geometric construction.
In accordance with yet another feature, the visual artwork is a painting.
In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the method includes choosing an equilateral triangle Euclidean geometric construction.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes choosing a standard proof of Pythagorean theorem as the Euclidean geometric construction.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes choosing a Napolean's theorem Euclidean geometric construction.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes choosing a triangle centroid Euclidean geometric construction.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes choosing an isogonal conjugate Euclidean geometric construction.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a fermat point Euclidean geometric construction.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes choosing a circle tangent to CA at A Euclidean geometric construction.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes choosing a homothetic center Euclidean geometric construction.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes choosing a Euler reflection point Euclidean geometric construction.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes choosing an anticevian triangle with symmedian point Euclidean geometric construction.
In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes drawing an outline of the Euclidean geometric construction on a surface of the canvas.
In accordance yet with another feature, the present invention provides a visual artwork formed by selecting a subject for the visual artwork; obtaining a canvas; identifying a Euclidean geometric construction; transferring the Euclidean geometric construction to the canvas; determining a position for the subject respective to at least one of a line, a point, and a shape of the Euclidean geometric construction; and producing an image of the subject on the canvas at the determined position.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a method of creating a visual artistic composition, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.
Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.
Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure
The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.
The present invention provides a novel and efficient method of creating a high quality visual artwork consistent with artistic principals of organization. Embodiments of the invention provide a process that uses Euclidean geometric constructions as an initial framework, to more quickly and thoroughly apply professional principals of organization in a creative and interesting manner. In addition, embodiments of the invention provide for steps of transferring a Euclidean geometric construction to a canvas and selecting a position for a subject respective to a mathematically significant line, point, or shape of the Euclidean geometric construction.
Referring now to
Although
The following figures will be described in conjunction with the process flow chart of
Selecting a Subject for a Visual Artwork
The process of
Obtaining a Canvas
In step 104, the user obtains a canvas 510. As used herein, the term “canvas” is defined as any object that can be used as a starting point for altering the visual external appearance of the object to create a visual artwork. The object can be a physical object, such as, for example, a cloth or paper prepared for use as a physical surface for painting or sketching, or the object can be a virtual object generated by a processor processing computer code and represented on a computer display, such as, for example, a software interface of a digital graphics software tool that allows users to create digital visual artwork.
The canvas 510 is preferably a blank canvas, e.g., solid, uniform, or varying background colors as illustrated in
Identifying a Euclidean Geometric Construction
The inventor of the present invention has found that when particular Euclidean geometric constructions are used by novice artists as a starting point and a guide for creating paintings, such artists are able to place subjects in accordance with professional principles of organization much more quickly and effectively than if the artist used a blank canvas as a starting point. Euclidean geometric constructions are visually organized and innately balanced in such a manner that using such geometric constructions as a framework on which to place subjects in a painting, greatly simplifies the process of organizing a painting in a professional manner. Utilizing the process of the present invention, novice artists can create high quality paintings much more easily. At the same time, the process allows novice artists to create unique works of art, unlike prior-art methods described above, which limit novice artists to predetermined images.
In step 106, the user identifies a Euclidean geometric construction. In the exemplary embodiment, the identified Euclidean geometric construction is the Euclidean geometric construction 302 resulting from identification of a Euler Reflection Point 310 as shown in
In a preferred embodiment, the Euclidean geometric construction is chosen by considering the characteristics and properties of the selected subject. For example, the exemplary Euclidean geometric construction 302 depicted in
Forming the Euclidean Geometric Construction
In step 108, the user forms the identified Euclidean geometric construction 302. The Euclidean geometric construction 302 can be formed manually, by hand, through use of a pencil and compass, or via a mathematical software application 200, as illustrated in
The Euclidean geometric construction 302 can be any size. For example, after creating the Euclidean geometric construction 302 using mathematical software 200, as depicted in
Providing the Euclidean Geometric Construction on the Canvas
In step 110, the user provides the Euclidean geometric construction 302 on the canvas 510. The user can transfer the Euclidean geometric construction 302 to the canvas 510. The user can provide the Euclidean geometric construction 302 on the canvas in any manner, as long as it allows the user to organize subjects of the painting 500 in accordance with the framework provided by the Euclidean geometric construction 302. For example, the Euclidean geometric construction 302 can be projected onto the canvas 510 with a projector 400, such as a tracer projector, as illustrated in
Determining a Position for a Subject in Accordance with the Euclidean Geometric Construction
In step 112, the user determines a position for the subject 520 that is in accordance with the Euclidean geometric construction 302. The position can be determined by:
As illustrated in
The Euler line 304 and the Euler reflection lines 306, 308 are mathematically significant lines. Accordingly, the stem of the flower 522 is aligned with and positioned over the Euler reflection line 306. A top edge of the vase 526 and a top edge of the pitcher 524 are placed in a step-wise configuration to generally follow the angular downward-sloping Euler line 304.
The Euler line 304 includes three mathematically significant points, namely, the orthocenter H, the circumcircle center O, and the triangle centroid G. Accordingly, the subjects 520 are preferably positioned to highlight these points. Stems of the flowers 522 pass through the orthocenter H, the circumcircle center O, and the triangle centroid G, as best illustrated in
As can be seen, use of the Euclidean geometric construction 302 provides a way for novice artists to more quickly and thoroughly organize a painting's subject(s) in accordance with professional principles of organization and composition that would otherwise be very difficult and time-consuming, particularly when starting with a blank canvas.
Producing an Image of the Subject on the Canvas at the Determined Position to Create the Visual Artwork
In step 114, after the subject's position is determined using the Euclidean geometric construction 302, the user produces an image of the subject on the canvas 510 at the determined position to create the visual artwork. In the exemplary embodiment, the user first paints the background of the painting and then positions still life objects at the determined arrangement (
The user can produce an image in accordance with the present invention, using any known methods and apparatuses for producing a visual artwork. For example, the user can paint using a paint brush and paint. The paint can be, for example, oil-based, acrylic, or watercolor. The paint brush can be, for example, a round brush, a flat brush, or a filbert brush. The user can utilize one or more brushes, paints, and/or colors to complete the painting. In another embodiment, the user can sketch subjects using a pencil. In yet another embodiment, the user can use a software graphical design tool to produce a digital image of the artwork. The process ends at step 116.
Additional Exemplary Embodiments of Euclidean Geometric Constructions
The present invention can be used with different Euclidean geometric constructions, as will be described below.
Equilateral Triangle Construction
Referring now to
The Equilateral triangle construction 602 can be formed by drawing a polygon 603, such as polygon ABCD, which is a rectangle. Next, a first triangle (BCE) 604 can be formed using line CB as a base of the triangle. A second triangle (CDF) 606 can be formed using line CD as a base of the triangle. Next, the user draws a first line 608 joining point A of the polygon ABCD to a vertices of the second triangle 606 (Point F) and the user draws a second line 610 joining point A to a vertices of the first triangle 604 (Point E). The user then marks the intersection points (Point G and H) where the first and second lines 608, 610 meet the sides of the polygon 603. Finally, the user can draw lines that join point A to point G, point G to point H, and point A to point H. This creates an equilateral triangle 612 (AGH) in which all three angles of the triangle 612 are equal, i.e., 60 degrees. The resulting Euclidean geometric construction 602 can be used as a framework for easily and quickly organizing a painting in accordance with artistic rules of composition. For example,
Standard Proof of the Pythagorean Theorem
Referring now to
The geometric construction 702 resulting from the Standard Proof of the Pythagorean Theorem can be formed by drawing a polygon 704, such as a polygon with four points (BCIJ). Next, the user can draw a triangle 706 (BDC) with the line BC as the base of the triangle 706. The user can then draw another polygon 708 (HGDB) with four points such that side BD of the triangle 706 is also a side of the polygon 708. The user can also draw yet another polygon 710 (DCFE) with four points such that the side DC of the triangle 706 is also a side of the polygon 710. Next, the user can draw a line 712 (DL) from the vertices D to the side IJ such that the line 712 is perpendicular to lines BC and IJ. Methods and apparatuses for using drawing tools to construct a Standard Proof of the Pythagorean Theorem are known.
The resulting Euclidean geometric construction 702 can be used as a framework for easily and quickly organizing a painting or sketch in accordance with artistic rules of composition. For example,
Napolean's Theorem
Referring now to
The Napolean's Theorem geometric construction 802 can be formed by drawing three points A, B, and C and connecting the points with line segments, resulting in a first triangle 804 (ABC). The first triangle 804 can be any triangle, i.e., the first triangle 804 does not have to be an isosceles, or equilateral triangle. Next, the user can draw three equilateral triangles 806 (ADB), 808 (AEC), and 810 (BCF) from each side of the first triangle 804, which together form yet another triangle (DEF). The user can then locate the centroids of each of the equilateral triangles 806, 808, 810. The process for locating a centroid is described in detail in the section below. Each of the centroids G, H, and I are connected by drawing line segments between each centroid, forming another triangle (GHI), which is a fourth equilateral triangle 812. It is interesting to note that no matter how the sides of the first triangle 804 are sized, the fourth triangle 812 will be equilateral, having equal length sides and being equiangular. The resulting Euclidean geometric construction 802 can be used as a framework for easily and quickly organizing a painting or sketch in accordance with artistic rules of composition. For example,
Centroid
Referring now to
The Centroid Euclidean geometric construction 902 can be formed by first drawing a triangle 904 (ABC) and then drawing the triangle's medians 906, 908, and 910. As is known in the art, a triangle median is a line segment joining a vertex of the triangle to the midpoint of the opposing side. The centroid 912 is the point (Point G) at which the medians 906, 908, 910 intersect. A first line 914 (BK) and a second line 916 (CK) can be drawn, which both intersect at Point K on the median line 906 and which are both parallel to lines FG and EG, respectively. The resulting Euclidean geometric construction 902 can be used as a framework for easily and quickly organizing a painting or sketch in accordance with artistic rules of composition. For example,
Isogonal Conjugate
Referring now to
The Euclidean geometric construction 1002 resulting from creation of an isogonal conjugate can be formed by first drawing a triangle 1004 (ABC). Next, the user draws angle bisector lines 1006, 1008, and 1010 for each angle of the triangle. Reflection lines are then drawn about each side of the bisector lines 1006, 1008, and 1010. A point P 1020 is located at the intersection of the side reflected lines of the angles at vertices A and B. As is known in the art, each of the opposing side reflected lines meets at the isogonal conjugate of a point P1. The resulting Euclidean geometric construction 1002 can be used as a framework for organizing a painting or sketch. For example,
Fermat Point
Referring now to
The Fermat point Euclidean geometric construction 1102 can be formed by first drawing a first triangle 1104 (ABC). Next, the user draws equilateral triangles from each of the sides of the first triangle 1104. The user then draws lines 1106, 1108, and 1110 connecting the vertices of the first triangle 1104 to the corresponding vertices of the opposing equilateral triangle, as is known in the art. The Fermat point 1112 is the point at which the lines 1106, 1108, and 1110 intersect. The resulting Euclidean geometric construction 1102 can be used as a framework for easily and quickly organizing a painting or sketch in accordance with artistic rules of composition. For example,
Circle Tangent to CA at A
Referring now to
The Circle Tangent to CA at A Euclidean geometric construction 1202 can be formed by first drawing a triangle 1204 (ABC) that includes a side 1209 (line AB). Next, the user identifies a midpoint D of side AB 1209 of the triangle 1204. The user can draw a perpendicular bisector line 1206 (ED), which bisects and is perpendicular to line AB 1209. A perpendicular line 1208 (AE) is also drawn, which is perpendicular to line AC. Next, the user can draw a circle 1205 that intersects points A and B, with the center 1210 (Point E) of the circle 1205 being the point at which the perpendicular bisector line 1206 and the perpendicular line 1208 intersect. The resulting Euclidean geometric construction 1202 can be used as a framework for easily and quickly organizing a painting or sketch in accordance with artistic rules of composition. For example,
Homothetic Center
Referring now to
The Euclidean geometric construction 1302 can be formed by drawing a first triangle 1304 and a second triangle 1306 such that each of the sides of the first and second triangle 1304, 1306 are parallel. Next, the user can draw lines from the vertices of the triangles 1304, 1306 towards the center of the triangle, as is known in the art. The homothetic center point 1308 is the point at which the lines intersect. The resulting Euclidean geometric construction 1302 can be used as a framework for easily and quickly organizing a painting or sketch in accordance with artistic rules of composition. For example,
Anticevian Triangle with Symmedian Point
Referring now to
The Anticevian triangle with symmedian point Euclidean geometric construction 1402 can be formed by drawing a triangle 1404. The user can also draw a symmedian point 1406 and a centroid point (not shown) in accordance with methods known in the art. The user can then draw a first circle 1410 that passes through each of the vertices of the triangle 1404. Next, the user can draw a tangential triangle 1412, which is a triangle drawn with lines that are tangent to the first circle 1410. The user draws a second circle 1414 that is tangent to the sides of the triangle 1404. The resulting Euclidean geometric construction 1402 can be used as a framework for easily and quickly organizing a painting or sketch in accordance with artistic rules of composition. For example,
A method of creating visual artwork has been disclosed that utilizes Euclidean geometric constructions as a framework for more quickly and thoroughly applying professional principles of organization to create a professional quality, unique visual artwork.
