We started with colored pencils, paper, regular old pencil, and the four basic shapes. The sketchbook activity required us to draw the four basic shapes and then add a vanishing point somewhere between them. The vanishing point is the point at which all imaginary lines of perspective converge. The purpose of drawing in perspective is to create the illusion of depth, and to enrich the form of your subject.
Connecting the shapes to the vanishing point required us to draw the shortest possible line from each of the corners to the vanishing point. You don't really have to draw a line from point farthest from the vanishing point on each letter back to the vanishing point. It's a superluous line- one that reduces the illusion.
Somehow, inspired by our sketchbook activity, we decided to play around with 3-D words and then add amusing items near the vanishing point. The Eldest did the letterblocking and coloring, while I messed around with graphics and possible puns.
"Hey," says me, "Why don't we just print out several sheets with the word LOVE in some neat font and get the girls to color with us?"
"Yeah," says he, "let's do it."
"Um-hmmmm," says me, looking for a font.
"Maybe," says he, "there's a little more to it. Like a project or a gift or.... a valentine?"
Sure enough. We colored the words and added another dimension. Then we searched through old photo bins for pictures we could cut and paste just beneath the focal point. The photos we chose were the ones that made us laugh- which means most of the Eldest's came from his toddler years.
It was so fun and simple. You can download the two blank pages with just the word "love" in cool fonts below. And by all means have a merry, giggle-filled blast.
3D love valentines (PDF)
