Course Highlights


Compositional Perspective

There are four methods to achieve compositional perspective:

1. Arrangement: Objects positioned lower in the drawing space appear psychologically closer in the mind of the viewer. Alternatively, objects placed at a higher level on the paper appear further away.  Below is a photo which uses arrangement to create perspective:


2. Layering: Objects placed in front of others, thereby concealing a portion of another object convey depth because of the innate sequencing effect.  Below is a photo which uses the layering method to achieve perspective:

3. Sizing: Identical or similar objects, if drawn in different sizes, appear to be at different distances from the viewer. This effect is even more pronounced if combined with the effects of arrangement. I.e. if a tree is drawn smaller and higher to another tree in the drawing space, the distance/depth will be enhanced. Below is a photo which uses the sizing method to achieve perspective:

4. Atmosphere: A visual depth is created as a result of the optical effect of particles in the atmosphere (i.e. dust, fog etc.) obstructing our view. In atmospheric perspective, the farther an object recedes into the distance, the lighter in tonal value it seems to become, and its edges and forms appear less distinct. The details in the foreground are clearer and the contrast greater, whereas the middle planes have less color saturation and forms are less defined. The background or planes furthest away lose all contrast and detail.

Note: Atmospheric effects are not exclusive to landscapes and the same principles apply to the different planes in an urban setting. With distance, the contours get blurry and tonal values decrease. In the foreground, each object is clearly defined.

Below is a photo which illustrates atmospheric perspective:


 

Other pages of interest

Sketching Cylindrical Objects
Sketching Conical Objects
Combining Basic Forms
Understanding the Fundamentals of Perspective
Compositional Perspective

 

 

 

 

Course Navigation

More resources