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).

What compositional devices are used here? Perspective devices?

Claude Lorrain

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

Atmospheric perspective
Cropping

Linear perspective/Orthogonal lines

Overlapping

Vanishing point
Horizon line/Eye level line
Diminution
Placement of objects (fore/middle/back)
Level of detail

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

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.

!
!

Leonardo da Vinci

Mona Lisa, c. 15031506

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 Vincis The Last Supper

Raphaels School of Athens

Birds eye view

http://www.bigboxdetox.com/one-point-perspective

Worms 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 Form

Implied 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

!
!
!
!

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!

Jean-Franois Millet

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.

FORM created
with VALUES
made with
fingerprints

Chuck Close

Fanny/Fingerpainting, 1985

FORM created
with VALUES
made with blobs
of handmade
paper

Chuck Close
Georgia, 1984, 56 x 45"

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 wellcomposed, accurately drawn,
and correctly shaded