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About instructors
I Teach Creatives
Entertainment designer, instructor, and illustrator. He graduated from Art Center, and has had a successful career working in games, film and TV
comments 24 submissions
Here, I took a shot at drawing a skull I found on Sketchfab. (https://sketchfab.com/3d-models/chamois-rupicapra-rupicapra-8c279797eed148ddac38f6e78b73e27f) I also explored how hydraulic mechanisms work on a digger and applied that concept to the skull. I really enjoy this way of thinking—studying organic forms, mechanizing them, and turning them into an interesting design.
(https://sketchfab.com/MUVHN)
LESSON NOTES
What's in Premium?
In this lesson, we learn how to transform organic forms into mechanical designs using linear perspective. Starting with an organic object, like a peccary skull, we observe its structures and landmarks to visualize how to convert its shapes into mechanical forms.
We establish the basic structure by drawing planes and lines to map out features in perspective, maintaining symmetry and visualizing the form in three dimensions. We then mechanize the form by incorporating elements like joints, hinges, hydraulics, wires, and gears, using our visual vocabulary to add convincing details.
We refine the drawing by adding details such as extended proportions, exposed frames, and features from the original form. By moving around the drawing and varying line weights, we balance the image and create depth. We also use markers to add value shifts and surface details, enhancing dimensionality.
Throughout the lesson, we focus on observation, structural understanding, and imagination to create dynamic and believable mechanical designs from organic forms.
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DOWNLOADS
how-to-mechanize-organic-forms.mp4
691 MB
how-to-mechanize-organic-forms-transcript-english.txt
20 kB
how-to-mechanize-organic-forms-transcript-spanish.txt
21 kB
how-to-mechanize-organic-forms-captions-english.srt
34 kB
how-to-mechanize-organic-forms-captions-spanish.srt
37 kB
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In this lesson, Peter Han shows us how to transform organic forms into mechanical designs using linear perspective. Starting with an organic object, like a peccary skull, we observe its structures and landmarks to visualize how to convert its shapes into mechanical forms.
This demo was wonderful. My son and I treated it as a "Draw along" challenge and drew along with Peter Han as he did the demo. We paused, went back, and did our best to actively learn instead of just watching. It was so much fun. Challenging, certainly, but fun. Learning by doing. I don't know if the intention was for this to be a "draw along" but that was a really fun way to do it. Lesson: How to Mechanize Organic Forms
Thank you Peter for your wonderful insight into understanding reference and how it informs design without overriding it. Your process breakdown has shown me that others have a similar path for how I like to draw. What you did in the demo, putting away direct reference and using your own structure, is what I've craved for years but often gets criticism in teaching programs. Thank you for showing it can be done with legwork in perspective and observation. While people call it magic, it's truly a demonstration of what hard work achieves. I hope to learn more and one day reach your level, creating great original designs with strong foundations.
I found this very hard, but after a few failed attempts, I managed to do this. I don't understand how mechanical hinges and joints work, how to connect things in a way that makes sense and I don't know how to detail this stuff further (apart from the details I stole from Peter Han)
But I will try to do these from time to time throughout the year, because I want to get better at drawing mechanical stuff.
Awesome lesson and demo. I learnt that understanding the forms is still an important aspect in drawing organic stuff. It was also comforting to hear that the forms themselves don't need to be perfect, because it is just a method for us to understand the object's form better.
Really inspiring lesson. I did this one from a picture I took at the museum. I’m going to have to look into more references for mechanical details. I kind of ran out of ideas for how to accessorize.
Here is the late homework! Just catching up with all the videos. I am sharing on social media the making of these homeworks to promote the course. You can see the sped up timelapses here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGO0WGmu8CM/?igsh=MWo3YXJ2cXZhejR4Yw==
I am really enjoying this lesson. It inspired me to pull out George Bridgman’s book, The Human Machine. I drew a few of the drawings from the book. I drew a couple of Asaro heads in slightly different perspective views. The Asaro head can be found on Sketchfab. One of them, I somewhat joined the mechanical neck drawing from the Bridgman book. The head at the bottom right was drawn from the Bridgman book, combining the head to the neck mechanism drawings using a bit of imagination. Thinking of modern mechanical parts, I pulled up an image of a pneumatic machine part and played around with the idea of a pneumatic mechanical jaw. I have attached the picture that I referenced. I drew 4 images as the perspective was a bit off on the first two on the right side bottom. I imagine that I will be coming back to this lesson a lot. Thanks a lot for the inspiring lesson.
Had fun with this, I did a couple organic sketches followed by about 5 quick boxy ones before finally adding a bit of mechanical detail. Would strongly recommend sitting in the structural phase for multiple iterations before attempting anything more. Very impressive to see Peter do this effortlessly, truly inspiring!
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9mo
this is awesome
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9mo
Great study! Really captured the proportions
I tried drawing a goat skull from reference a couple of times, and then I tried turning it around in my head and draw a mechanised version from memory. I think it turned out alright, but I didn’t really get a good grip on the 3D form of the skull. I think that a 3D model, or the real thing like Peter had, would have helped a lot. The references were all too similar and they gave me an idea of the silhouette instead of the 3D form.
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9mo
Loving seeing all these mechanical animal skulls
Really great demo! As someone interested in learning more about approaching sci-fi design, I found this very informative.
The living legend, Peter Han. That was amazing to watch. I'm going to find something my beginner butt can turn from organic to mechanical, and practice this.
Thanks Marshall. This perspecrice course has been awesome so far
He made it look so easy too! translating the shapes is hard enough as it is, and he did it by just looking at the skull for a few seconds! one day...
