The Art of Cutaways and 3/4 Drawings for Concept Artists

Created by Sarah Choi (prompt writer using ChatGPT)

The Art of Cutaways and 3/4 Drawings for Concept Artists

Introduction to Cutaways and 3/4 Drawings Cutaway and 3/4 drawings are an essential skill for concept artists, especially when designing environments, characters, vehicles, or weapons. These techniques allow artists to showcase not just the outer appearance of a design but also the internal structure or functionality of an object. Understanding how to create compelling cutaways can greatly enhance a concept artist’s ability to convey the full complexity and details of their designs, which is often crucial for visual storytelling in video games and film.

This article will explain what a cutaway is, why it’s important, how to create cutaway drawings, and where you can learn this skill. It will also provide a step-by-step guide tailored for beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels, along with tips for gifted and talented students looking to accelerate their learning process.

What is a Cutaway Drawing?

A cutaway drawing is a type of technical illustration that shows both the exterior and the internal structure of an object or environment. The external portion is typically drawn in normal perspective, while a portion of the object is “cut away” to reveal the inner components, mechanisms, or layers.

For example:

  • Character Design: A cutaway might show the layers of armor or reveal the internal anatomy of a character.
  • Vehicle Design: A cutaway drawing of a spaceship could show not just its exterior shape but also the interior compartments and wiring.
  • Environment Design: A cutaway of a building might show the layout of rooms, the structural supports, and the details of different floors.

Why Are Cutaways Important?

  1. Clarity and Detail: A cutaway helps to break down complex designs into manageable visual pieces. This is especially important when designing for environments or functional objects, where understanding the layout is crucial.
  2. Enhanced Storytelling: For concept artists in the video game or film industries, cutaways provide a deeper understanding of how a design fits into the world and functions. This can make designs feel more immersive and believable to the audience.
  3. Technical Communication: Cutaways help communicate design ideas clearly to other team members, such as engineers, 3D modelers, or developers. Showing the internal workings of a design can prevent miscommunication and ensure all aspects of the design are implemented correctly.
  4. Professional Portfolio Piece: Including cutaway drawings in your portfolio demonstrates your ability to approach a design from multiple perspectives and think critically about how objects and environments function.

How to Create a Cutaway Drawing

Creating a cutaway drawing requires a combination of artistic skill and technical knowledge. The process involves careful planning, perspective drawing, and often an understanding of the function and structure of what you’re drawing.

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Begin with the Exterior Sketch
    • Perspective Drawing: Start by drawing the object in perspective—whether it’s a character, vehicle, or environment. Ensure your basic structure is correct and well-proportioned.
    • Reference Material: Use references to understand the proportions and dimensions of the object. For vehicles and environments, you may need to consider how the internal elements interact with the exterior design.
  2. Determine the Cutaway Area
    • Decide What to Expose: Think about what you want to show through the cutaway. For a character, this could be the interior skeleton or organs; for a vehicle, it could be the engine or internal compartments.
    • Plan the Section: Choose a section of the object to “cut away” and determine the angle of the cut. Usually, the cut is made along an axis that would expose the most interesting or important parts of the design.
  3. Draw the Internal Structure
    • Internal Components: Draw the internal details with care. For a spaceship, this might include the engine room, crew compartments, and wiring systems. For a character, it may involve muscles, organs, or internal armor systems.
    • Layering and Depth: Consider how to show depth in the internal structure. Using shading, hatching, or perspective cues can help convey the idea that the internal structures are inside and not merely floating in space.
  4. Add Shading and Details
    • Use Value and Tone: Apply shading to show depth and material. The external elements should be shaded differently than the internal ones to help visually separate them.
    • Use of Line Weight: Vary the line weight to indicate different planes. Thicker lines should be used for exterior parts, while thinner lines might denote internal components.
  5. Final Refinements and Clean-Up
    • After completing the initial sketch, refine the lines and add additional details like textures, materials, and small components that enhance the overall design. This is where you can push for a more polished and professional look.

Cutaway Drawings in Environment Design and Technical Drawing

In environment design, cutaways are often used to show the interior of a building, cave, or even a cityscape. When designing environments, the process is similar to that of other cutaways but requires additional attention to architectural details.

In technical drawing classes or schools specializing in technical illustration, students will often learn to create cutaways for various mechanical objects, like vehicles or machinery. These technical skills are incredibly valuable to concept artists, as they provide the foundational knowledge of how things work mechanically, which can then be translated into more fantastical or creative designs.

Some technical drawing schools and online courses (like those on platforms such as Coursera, Domestika, or Gnomon) offer specialized training in cutaway and technical illustration, teaching students how to approach cutaways with precision and clarity.

How-To: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced

Beginner

  • Objective: Start with simple objects or environments.
  • Steps:
    • Begin by drawing basic geometric objects like a box or a sphere.
    • Draw a simple cutaway of a box to reveal the interior, like shelves or compartments.
    • Focus on basic shapes and simple cut lines.
  • Tip: Use reference images for basic objects and keep the design as simple as possible to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

Intermediate

  • Objective: Move to more complex designs, such as characters or environments.
  • Steps:
    • Start working on more complex cutaways, such as showing the inner anatomy of a character or a building’s internal layout.
    • Work on blending external design with internal details.
    • Add complexity by introducing multiple layers of design (e.g., terrain, interiors, walls).
  • Tip: Use 3D software (like SketchUp) to model environments before creating cutaway illustrations. This can help understand the structure better.

Advanced

  • Objective: Create professional-level cutaways with highly detailed designs.
  • Steps:
    • Take on large, multi-level cutaways for environments or highly intricate vehicles and machinery.
    • Focus on detailed internal components and layers, using advanced techniques like cross-hatching for texture and shading for depth.
    • Practice showing complex interactions between external and internal parts.
  • Tip: Study highly detailed cutaways from technical manuals or design books for inspiration. Aim for precision and functionality in your designs.

Gifted and Talented Approach: Enrichment and Acceleration

For gifted or talented students looking to accelerate their cutaway drawing skills, the key lies in deeper research and refined technical skills:

  1. Enrichment (Broader Exploration):
    • Study cutaways not just in technical or concept art but in engineering, architecture, and biology. Learn how different industries approach technical drawings to enrich your understanding.
    • Experiment with combining styles and genres: try illustrating futuristic vehicles using real-world mechanical principles or create fantastical environments with realistic engineering accuracy.
  2. Acceleration (Advanced Practice):
    • Take advanced courses in mechanical engineering drawing, architecture, or 3D modeling. Understanding the scientific and technical side of structures and systems will elevate your cutaway work to a professional level.
    • Challenge yourself by completing a cutaway design challenge every week, focusing on a new object or environment each time. Build a portfolio of progressively complex work.

Conclusion

Cutaway and 3/4 drawings are essential skills for concept artists looking to create detailed, functional, and immersive designs. Whether you’re working on characters, environments, or vehicles, mastering cutaway drawings will give you the ability to visually communicate both the aesthetic and functional aspects of your designs. By following a structured approach and continuing to practice at your own pace, you’ll be well on your way to developing your technical drawing skills and creating dynamic, professional cutaways.