Perspective

PERSPECTIVE = = depth or distance we think we see in art

DEPTH = appearance of distance on a flat surface

ONE POINT PERSPECTIVE = front sides of objects are parallel to the picture plane with the side edges receding towards a single point (we call this single point the VANISHING POINT)

VANISHING POINT = point at which orthogonals converge (meet)

ORTHOGONALS = imaginary lines that move towards the vanishing point

TWO POINT PERSPECTIVE = front, back and side edges converge (meet) at two points (vanishing points)

Perspective Techniques:
1) Overlapping - when one object covers part of another object the full object appears closer to the viewer

2) Size - larger objects seem closer to the viewer than smaller objects (the further away something is, the smaller it should be)

3) Placement - objects placed near the bottom seem to be closer than objects placed higher

4) Detail - objects with clear, sharp edges and many details seem to be closer to the viewer; objects that lack detail and have fuzzy/unclear outlines seem to be further away; artists leave out details of objects that they want to seem far away

5) Lines - parrallel lines seem to move toward the same point (vanishing point) as they move further away from the viewer; when lines are drawn they should grow more narrow as they move into the back ground (examples: streams, rivers, roads)

6) Color - brightly colored objects seem to be closer to the viewer; objects with pale/dull colors seem to be further away. Paler shades in background convey a sense of distance; warm colors make objects seem closer, cool colors make objects seem further away