Getting Started with Concentric Circles
So, I was looking for a new little project, something artsy but also kinda geometric, you know? And concentric circles popped into my head. Seemed simple enough, right? Just circles inside circles. But making it look like actual artwork? That was the challenge I set for myself.
My First Attempts – Not So Great!
Alright, so my first go was, well, pretty basic. I just grabbed a piece of paper and a compass. Started drawing circles. Yeah, they were concentric, but it looked like something a kid would do in math class. Not exactly gallery-worthy, haha. I realized pretty quick that just drawing circles wasn't gonna cut it. There needed to be more to it.
Figuring Out the "Art" Part
I started thinking about what makes art, well, art. Colors, for sure. And maybe some texture or variation. I decided to switch to digital for a bit, just to play around with colors more easily. Fired up a simple drawing program on my tablet.
- Color Choices: This was a big one. I messed around with gradients, then tried solid colors. I found that picking a good palette beforehand was super important. Sometimes I'd go for contrasting colors, other times more harmonious ones.
- Spacing: The distance between the circles also made a huge difference. Sometimes I'd make them evenly spaced, other times I'd vary the gaps to create a different rhythm.
- Line Thickness: Played with this too. Thick lines, thin lines, no lines at all and just filled circles. Each one gave a different vibe.
It was a lot of trial and error. I must have made like, twenty different versions, just tweaking little things. Some looked terrible, honestly. But then, a few started to click.
The Process That Worked for Me
After all that messing around, I kind of settled on a process.
First, I'd pick a color scheme. Maybe three to five colors that I thought looked good together.
Then, I'd start with the biggest circle. I'd usually fill this one with a base color.
Next, I'd draw a smaller circle inside it. I'd think about how much smaller – did I want a thick band of the first color, or a thin one?
I'd fill this new circle with the next color in my palette.
And I just kept repeating that. Smaller circle, new color, think about the spacing.
Sometimes I'd get to the middle and feel like it needed something, so I might add a tiny dot of a really bright, contrasting color right in the center. Or maybe make the innermost circle really stand out.
What I Learned (and What I Ended Up With)
The biggest thing I learned? Simple ideas can actually be pretty cool if you just spend some time on the details. It's not just about drawing circles; it's about the relationship between them – the colors, the sizes, the spacing.
I ended up with a few pieces I actually liked! One was very calm, with blues and greens. Another was super vibrant, with oranges and yellows. It’s funny, because it started as such a basic idea.
It's definitely something I'll play with again. Maybe try different shapes next time, or add some patterns within the circles. Who knows! But for now, I’m pretty happy with my concentric circle experiments. It was a good way to just zone out and create something without too much pressure.
