Computer Assisted ArtLesson 2

Mrs. Hurd

Lesson 2 Vocabulary1. Perspective2. Foreshorten3. Vanishing Point4. Horizon Line5. One Point Perspective6. Vincent Van Gogh7. Post Impressionism

Linear Perspective • Perspective in the graphic arts, such as

drawing, is an approximate representation, on a flat surface (such as paper), of an image as it is seen by the eye. The two most characteristic features of perspective are that objects are drawn:

• Smaller as their distance from the observer increases

• Foreshortened: to reduce or distort in order to convey the illusion of three-dimensional space as perceived by the human eye: often done according to the rules of perspective.

Any perspective representation of a scene that includes parallel lines, has one or more vanishing points (The point in linear perspective at which all imaginary lines of perspective converge) is a perspective drawing. A one-point perspective drawing means that the drawing has a single vanishing point, usually (though not necessarily) directly opposite the viewer's eye and usually (though not necessarily) on the horizon line (the level your eyes are at, an imaginary line to which things recede). All lines parallel with the viewer's line of sight recede to the horizon towards this vanishing point. This is the standard "receding railroad tracks" phenomenon.

Example:

1 Point PerspectiveONE POINT PERSPECTIVE is so named because

it uses a single vanishing point to draw an object. It is the simplest form of perspective drawing and is used here to draw boxes.

• In one point perspective, the front and back transversal planes of the box always remain parallel to the picture plane. Only their scale changes as they recede into the distance.

Lesson 2Inspiration Artist: Vincent Van Gogh

1853 – 1890

BiographyBorn March 30, 1853 in Zundert,

Netherlands, Vincent had two brothers and three sisters. He was closest to his younger brother Theo. Although he enjoyed drawing from the time he was a young boy, Vincent had a number of other jobs before he decided to work as an artist full time. He worked as a teacher in London and then as a minister. He also worked in a book store, an art gallery, and as a missionary. At around the age of 27, Van Gogh decided to devote himself completely to art.

He is most known as a Dutch post-Impressionist painter whose work is notable for its rough beauty, emotional honesty and bold color. It had a far-reaching influence on 20th-century art.

The Post Impressionists were a group of young painters who sought independent artistic styles for expressing emotions rather than simply optical impressions; concentrating on themes of deeper symbolism. Through the use of simplified colors and definitive forms, their art was characterized by a renewed aesthetic sense as well as abstract tendencies.

In 1888 van Gogh moved south to Arles, France to start up an artist's commune. He rented out a yellow house to live in and invited artist Paul Gauguin to join him. He loved the vibrant colors and the bright sun of Arles.

Van Gogh began painting with intensity and emotion. The colors in his paintings became more vibrant and bright. He would sometimes apply the paint directly onto the canvas from the tubes leaving the paint thick with rough brush strokes. Sometimes it would take weeks for his paintings to dry because the paint was so thick.

Vincent painted hundreds of pictures during this time, sometimes painting masterpieces in a single day. He became fully obsessed with art.

In 1989 Van Gogh committed himself to a mental hospital. He could barely take care of himself. He still continued to paint and painted one of his most famous paintings Starry Night during this time. Van Gogh's mental state continued to deteriorate. On July 29, 1890 he died from a self-inflicted bullet wound to the chest.

Although he wasn't famous during his lifetime, today he is considered one of the greatest and most influential artists of his time. Many of his paintings sell for millions of dollars today. There are over 800 surviving oil paintings as well as over a thousand water colors and sketches of his work.

Famous Works:(All used 1 point Perspective)

Café Terrace at Night1888

Vincent’s Haus1888

A Corridor 1889

Bedroom in Arles1888

Lesson 2 Assignment Part one example:

One Point Perspective DrawingIn the Style of Van Gogh

Vocabulary Review1.Vanishing Point A. representation seen by

the eye2. Vincent Van Gogh B. it uses a single

vanishing point 3. Horizon Line C. painters who had

independent artistic styles for expressing emotions

4. Perspective D. Dutch Painter5. Post Impressionism E. an imaginary line to

which things recede 6. Foreshorten F. point in linear perspective

where lines converge7. One Point Perspective G. the size that an

object's dimensions appear to be

* Write the letter of the definition next to the corresponding Vocab word

ReflectionAnswer these questions in your sketchbook using complete

sentences.

1. How do you think the Post- Impressionists might have influenced 20th century art?

2. What are some characteristics of Vincent Van Gogh’s Artistic style?