Perspective

Purpose:

To demonstrate and understand, learn & create, various perspective strategies to show depth on a two-dimensional surface;

To review and interpret some of the work created by Leonardo da Vinci.

Linear Perspective- A mathematical system for creating the illusion of space and distance on a flat surface such as a canvas or wall.

Horizon Line- In perspective this line is drawn across the canvas at the viewer's eye level. It represents the line in nature where the sky appears to meet the ground.

Vanishing point-The single point in a picture where all parallel lines that run from the viewer to the horizon line appear to come together. The vanishing point is generally placed at the viewer's eye level.

Orthogonal Lines-Straight diagonal lines drawn to connect points around the edges of a picture to the vanishing point. They represent parallel lines receding into the distance and help draw the viewer's eye into the depth of the picture.

Transversal Lines-Transversal lines (always parallel) are always at right angles to the orthogonal lines and establish a fixed height or width between two orthogonal lines.

One point perspective-Uses a single vanishing point to draw an object (is the simplest form of perspective drawing).

Two point perspective-Two point perspective uses two sets of orthogonal lines and two vanishing points to draw each object.

A couple of ways to show depth perspective are: size and distance, and aerial perspective.

Creating a sense of depth in painting by imitating the way the atmosphere makes distant objects appear less distinct and more bluish than they would be if nearby (also known as atmospheric perspective). Leonardo found out that the more distant the object, the more its color approached that of the surrounding atmosphere. The further away and object was, the more “diluted” the color seemed to be as opposed to a closer object where the color is clearer and more concentrated.

The perspective of a circle called an ellipse and is controlled by rectangular perspective.