Op Art: Anamorphic Drawings

Cylindrical Mirror

Anamorphic Drawing

• Anamorphosis: (from the Greek word for “Transform”)– Distort an image in a way that makes the image

clear from an alternate view

Anamorphic Images

• Collections of anamorphic images were very popular as optical amusements/entertainment throughout the 19th Century (1800s)

• Using special mirrors to create an alternate view gave artwork a sense of mystery

Hans Holbein the Younger: The Ambassadors, 1533

Mystery Object seen from Alternate View

“Magic Cylinder”

“Magic Cylinder”

“Magic Cylinder”

“Magic Cylinder”

“Magic Cylinder”

“Magic Cylinder”

“Magic Cylinder”

Assignment

• Using the Radial Grid Technique, design your own image to distort so that it can only be accurately viewed through a cylindrical mirror

• Consider whether you want it to be more– Design-focused (stylized with lines), or– Trompe l’oeil-focused, (more shading and

coloring)

Step 1: Grid your original image 8x8: LABEL YOUR GRID, then draw your image within the grid

(This a is a handout you get from Ms. LeSage)

Columns: A-H

Rows: 1-8

Step 2: Get the Radial Grid Template from Ms. LeSage, and trace it onto a clean sheet of paper, lightly with pencil!!! LABEL YOUR GRID

as seen below!!!

Step 2: Trace the radial grid LIGHTLY with pencil, because you will erase this in the end!

This is what it should look like on a clean sheet of paper

Step 3: Use the grid to help you transfer your drawing, square by square, onto the radial grid

Use pencil to begin

Example: It helps to put your image right underneath the radial grid, and the radial grid should look like a rainbow shape (the arch should

be at the top of the paper) while you transfer your drawing

You can use the magic cylinderas you draw to see if it is accurate as you go along

You would turn the paper upside-down and put the magic cylinderon the circle to see your image

Example

My Example, Finished

My Example, Finished