Question

Shown below is a part of a "S shaped motif". Dotted lines indicate the incomplete part of the motif. Visualize the remaining motif and draw the complete motif with a height of 15 cm. DO NOT draw the dotted lines. 

Hint:

For visual completion tasks, the principle of symmetry (be it reflectional or rotational) is almost always the key. Before drawing, identify the type of symmetry that would create the most balanced and harmonious result. Lightly sketching construction lines can help maintain proportions during the mirroring or rotation process.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Task and Evaluation Criteria: 
The task is to complete a given "S" shaped, black and white motif. The final drawing must be 15 cm in height and should be a harmonious, balanced whole. The key criteria are: 
Faithful Reproduction: The existing part must be copied accurately. 
Consistency and Harmony: The new, imagined part must logically and aesthetically continue the style of the existing part. 
Rendering Quality: The final drawing must be clean, with smooth curves and solid, uniform black fills. 
Step 2: Analyzing the Existing Motif and Visual Language: 
The existing part of the motif is based on smooth, flowing, organic curves. It has a strong sense of positive and negative space. The primary visual characteristic is a spiral or volute form. The motif is a variation of the "Yin-Yang" symbol, suggesting rotational symmetry and balance between the black and white shapes. The incomplete part is the bottom half of the "S". 
Step 3: Visualization of the Complete Motif: 
To achieve harmony and balance, the most logical completion is one based on 180-degree rotational symmetry. 
Imagine placing a pin in the exact center of the 15 cm vertical space. 
If you rotate the existing top half by 180 degrees around this pin, it should perfectly form the missing bottom half. 
This means the large black shape at the top will be mirrored by a large white shape at the bottom, and the small white swirl within the black shape will be mirrored by a small black swirl within the white shape at the bottom. 
The final, complete motif will resemble a stylized Yin-Yang symbol, perfectly balanced and enclosed within an implied "S" curve. 
Step 4: Execution Guide for the Drawing (Textual Description): 
1. Faithful Reproduction of the Given Part (Size and Proportion): 
First, lightly draw a vertical line that is exactly 15 cm long. This is your height guide. 
Mark the halfway point (7.5 cm). This will be the center of rotation. 
Carefully, and as accurately as possible, freehand sketch the existing top half of the motif in the top 7.5 cm space. Pay close attention to the thickness of the lines and the curvature of the spirals. This is a critical step for getting the full marks. 
2. Drawing the Imagined Part with Consistency: 
Using the principle of 180-degree rotational symmetry, you will now draw the bottom half. 
The outer curve of the "S" on the top left should be mirrored by the outer curve of the "S" on the bottom right. 
The end of the large black spiral at the center should seamlessly flow into the beginning of the large white spiral. 
The small white swirl inside the top black shape should be mirrored by an identical small black swirl inside the bottom white shape. Every curve should have a corresponding, rotated counterpart. 
3. Rendering Quality of the Final Form: 
Once you are satisfied with your light pencil outline of the complete motif, carefully go over the lines to create a clean, confident final outline. 
Use a soft, dark pencil (like a 4B or 6B) to fill in the black areas. 
Fill the areas slowly and methodically, using small circular motions or consistent hatching to ensure a smooth, solid, and uniform black finish with no patchiness. 
Use a sharp eraser to clean up any smudges or stray lines, ensuring the edges between the black and white areas are crisp and precise. The final drawing should be a high-contrast, graphic image.