Linear Perspectives
and Forms in Space
"Path of Hedges," gauche, colored pencil, pencil. ©2014 by David V. Pierik.
The Alphabet of Art:
The Picture Plane
Schematic drawing of picture space. This can be intentionally distorted for effect! For example, you can go with 1/3 of the space for each element, or you can emphasize the foreground more strongly. Just because your original subject matter might not have looked that way, does not mean that's how you have to paint it!
The Fishermen (Fantastic Scene) ca 1875, Paul Cézanne (French, 1839–1906) Oil on canvas. This is a good example of how impressionists made an extra effort to bring as much to the foreground as possible. The middle ground and background are still there, but the foreground dominates.
Caneletto Venice The Grand Canal 1740 with S. Simeone Piccolo. In this work, we see a fairly standard division of elements. Notice how large the sky is here, and how relatively small the foreground subjects are.
Lush Duarte Vitori circa 2007. This painting has incredible depth and a very dominant foreground element. Visually, the effect of this perspective is highly interesting. Notice also the bright softness of the light here, foreground to background lightness is relatively uniform.
3d Joe and Max These artists use chalk on public streets to create dazzling depth of field to astonishing effect. They are holders of Guiness records.
the-feline-perspective-beth-davies circa 2012. Just to put things in perspective, here is a fun and imaginative work. Although there is not a strong, distant background here, the overall effect does give depth to the subject. This painting by Beth Davies of Vancouver Island would have more depth if at upper right there were a window with distant objects. However, that would distract from the subject who in this case demands undivided attention and would not tolerate not being the center of attention!
Commentary by Dave Pierik
Above: The dollhouse I made for my daughter about 10 years ago. Cardboard, glue, sand, paint. She started playing with it before I was all the way done with it but that's okay. It is a bit the worse for wear but it has held up fairly well considering. The top with the roof lifts off so she can play with toys inside and store them in there; the roof is open to the bottom level with a balcony and there are a set of stairs. This house was the model for my painting. the measurement along the long side of the roof is 8.5" and it is made out of the back of (repurposed) legal pads.
Just for fun, here is the painting when inverted in photoshop. This has a very different look to it, huh!