How do artists show the illusion of reality and real space on a 2D surface?

• Composition

• Perspective

• Value

Composition

The way that the Elements of Art are organized by the Principles of Design

!Space is an element of art and can be manipulated by a

thoughtful composition !

The space within the view finder represents the paper - the

picture plane. !

You can use it to crop out what is unnecessary and to arrange the positive and negative space

effectively. !!!

When looking through the view finder, consider the Rule of Thirds in order to effectively organize the space.

Consider also the Golden Rectangle

A grid using the proportions of the Golden Mean (not

exactly thirds).

Claude Lorrain Landscape with Ruins, Pastoral Figures, and Trees, c. 1650

What compositional devices are used here? Perspective devices?

Cropping

DiminutionHorizon line/Eye level line

Overlapping

Level of detail

Linear perspective/Orthogonal lines

Vanishing point

Atmospheric perspective

Placement of objects (fore/middle/back)

Perspective

A general term that expresses the way that depth or distance is represented on a two-dimensional surface.

In addition to compositional devices, this depth can be achieved through two types of perspective:

1) Atmospheric

2) Linear

!

Atmospheric Perspective

Shows how atmospheric conditions ("the air") influence our perception of objects in the distance

!As objects get closer to the horizon (farther away), they appear lighter in tone, less detailed, and bluer or cooler in

color !

A photograph illustrating atmospheric perspective

Leonardo da Vinci Mona Lisa, c. 1503–1506

Sfumato (“to smoke”). A hazy background effect

created by many layers of glazing with multiple

layers of translucent paint. !

The diminished saturation of colors creates

atmospheric perspective and the illusion of depth.

!!

Linear Perspective

A system of converging lines (orthogonals) that meet at one or more vanishing points !Using this system in drawing and painting creates the accurate illusion of real space on the picture plane !!!

intuitive scientific

One Point Perspective

Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”

Raphael’s “School of Athens”

http://www.bigboxdetox.com/one-point-perspectiveBird’s eye view

Worm’s eye view

Two Point Perspective

The vanishing point is not always on the paper!

Three Point Perspective

Leonardo da Vinci Perspectival study for The Adoration of the Magi, c. 1481

Leonardo da Vinci and other Italian Renaissance painters became masters of the technical skill of linear perspective.

Rounded forms utilize linear perspective as well

A modern chalk drawing that is only possible by understanding how to use linear perspective

Value makes FormImplied lines vs. Actual Lines

Shapes are 2D

Forms are 3D

Drawings of forms, made with actual lines

Drawing of a form, made with value = implied lines

!

A value scale reminds you of the range of values needed in your work

!

At a minimum, use: a highlight, midtone, shadow edge and cast shadow

Once you make your value scale, keep it handy as you draw.

Check periodically to see that you are

using the necessary values.

Value is one of the 3 properties of Color

!

The red value scale is Monochromatic

!

Chromatic !

Achromatic

See the shapes and the forms?

!

Most objects can be broken down

like this. !

If you understand form and how to shade forms using value then you can

draw anything.

Apply different values to each plane, suggesting the illusion of a real form. Why do the outlines visible here detract from the illusion?

Pushing the values to the edge (“shadow edge”) will eliminate the actual line and allow the implied line to do the work.

In addition to blending, there are other pencil and pen techniques that can be

used to show value !!!!

Jean-François Millet

A beautiful drawing that captures FORM with a

variety of shading techniques and WITHOUT OUTLINES

!Note: LINES are not bad but,

if you use them, make sure they are really necessary and

that they have the appropriate LINE QUALITY!

A beautiful figure study by Leonardo

da Vinci !

Notice how LINES begin to disappear when VALUE takes

over?

!

!In this fabric study, FORM is created

with VALUE, not LINE

In this example, VALUE is created

with LINES !

FORM is created

with VALUE

M. C. Escher was a master of the “magic” that happens when VALUE is added to a contour drawing.

Chuck Close Fanny/Fingerpainting, 1985

FORM created with VALUES made with fingerprints

Chuck Close Georgia, 1984, 56 x 45"

FORM created with VALUES

made with blobs of handmade

paper

Do these FORMS look real? Why?

How is linear perspective used in this drawing?

How is linear perspective used in this drawing?

Now, put all of that information together into a still life drawing that is well-composed, accurately drawn,

and correctly shaded