LESSON 12
PERSPECTIVE DRAWING
STRUCTURE 12.0
OBJECTIVES
12.1
INTRODUCTION
12.2
BASIC PRINCIPLE
12.3
TERMINOLOGY
12.4
TYPES OF PERSPECTIVE DRAWING
12.5
ASSIGNMENTS 12.5.1 12.5.2
CLASS ASSIGNMENTS HOME ASSIGNMENTS
12.6
SUMMING UP
12.7
POSSIBLE ANSWERS TO SELF-CHECK QUESTIONS
12.8
TERMINAL QUESTIONS
12.9
REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED FURTHER READING
12.10
GLOSSARY
1
12. PERSPECTIVE DRAWING In Chapter 10, on Object Drawing, a mention was made on the Perspective views of the cube. Let us now understand Perspective view and how to do in this lesson.
12.0 Objectives After going through this lesson, you will understand:•
What is meant by a Perspective view?
•
The terminology and types of Perspective Drawing.
•
How to draw a scene with understanding of visible perspective.
12.1 Introduction The principles of Perspective views assist the artist in translating accurately the three dimensional views as perceived by human eye, into the two dimensions of a drawing on paper. An artist’s own sense of visual correctness of a representation is very important and must act as a guideline when attempting an accurate Perspective drawing. You had earlier studied a cube and some objects, and are aware that things in our view tend to appear smaller as they become distant. The farther the object the smaller it would appear. It applies similarly to the surfaces and points within an object that are farther than some other in our view. Unconsciously, we are also aware that what we view is not the actual size of the object or the actual dimension of the object or how it actually is. This is the illusion created by the physical placement of eyes in the human body. However, the brain or our analytical understanding also tells us that what is being viewed is not real and also what the real look of the object is. Our understanding of an object even when viewed at a distance, therefore, is compensated by the brain and is as the real object is.
12.2 Basic Principle The basic principle of perspective states that parallel lines receding from the viewer appear to converge. Objects positioned along these lines diminish in size with their distance from the viewer. The perspective drawing involves plotting the angles and degrees of convergence and diminishment in relation to the viewer’s location, the position of objects viewed, and the point of convergence. The point of convergence of parallel lines is actually an imaginary point, which is the farthest point of sight. 2
12.3 Terminology There are certain terms that will help you define the unseen and hence imaginary points of spatial relationship between the viewer and the viewed object. These points are in relation to each other. They do not physically exist but are marked on the drawing as the basic fixed reference points for Perspective Drawing. i) Station Point or viewing point: This is a fixed point from which an object is viewed, that is actually the eyes of the viewer. ii) Ground plane: This is the horizontal plane on which the viewer or object is standing. The viewer’s eye level or station point has a fixed relationship to the ground plane. iii) Eye level or horizon line: The line corresponds to the eye – level of the viewer and the points of convergence lie on this line. It lies parallel to the Ground plane. If the position of the horizon line is low and is closer to the ground plane, say the viewer is sitting on ground, the perspective drawing creates an illusion of looking up at an object from a low level. If the horizon line is high, the view is looking down at the object.
Fig. 12.1 Eye level or Horizon line. (VP = Vanishing Point)
iv) Vanishing Point (VP): The imaginary point of convergence of the parallel, receding, and horizontal lines occurs on the horizon line.
12.4 Types of Perspective Drawing There are 3 main types of Perspective Drawings according to the number of vanishing points employed:
3
i) One point Perspective (Fig. 12.2): In this case there is only one vanishing point on the horizon line. The station point and the vanishing point lie on the same plane. The centre of vision is at right angles to one side of the object, and the side is parallel to the viewer. Apart from the surface with its horizontal and vertical lines, that is parallel to the viewing point all the other sides or planes that may be visible appear to recede from the viewer towards one point.
Fig. 12.2 One-point perspective
ii) Two point Perspective (Fig. 12.3): In this case there are two vanishing points located on the horizon line, one on either side of the station point. The distance of these points from the station point depends on the position of the viewer with respect to the object. There are at least two and up to three planes visible, where no surface is parallel to the station point of the viewer, but the vertical lines are parallel.
Fig. 12.3 Two-point perspective
All surfaces and horizontal and vertical lines, except the nearest vertical line appear to diminish towards the vanishing points on either side. iii) Three point Perspective: In this case two vanishing points are located on the horizon, governing the horizontal convergence, but a third one is located above or below the horizon line to allow the convergence of 4
normally vertical planes. Three point perspective is used for scenes above or below the viewer. Neither any surface, nor any line, whether horizontal or vertical is parallel to the viewing plane. All the surfaces, horizontal and vertical lines appear to diminish towards the three vanishing points. Of these, two point perspectives is the most common system used representing objects and spaces as we see them. This kind of perspective is based on seeing objects on the same ground or level as the viewer. The ground is assumed to be flat and the artist is assumed to be looking straight ahead, not up or down. By now you must have got a fair understanding of the principles of Perspective in drawing. In the class activity let us attempt to apply our understanding to achieve accuracy in representing what we see.
Activity i) Using a pencil, draw a scene that is more than 15 feet away and is visible from inside or outside the room or building. Tips on perspective drawing •
This drawing is a composition of a group of objects and things / a group of objects and plants and trees.
•
You have so far attempted to draw these individually. You have understood the size and proportion of the form of them as singular subjects.
•
This time, when you draw them as a composition of a group of things, be aware of the inter-spatial relationships of each. How close or far they are from each other? How big or small are they in comparison to each other? Different objects, hence different materials, different looks, finishes, textures, colours etc.
•
First start with outline forms of each element of the scene. Establish their position, size and proportions with respect to each other. This is of prime importance.
•
Remember the farther something from you the smaller it will appear. Fewer details will be visible. Try using soft indistinct marks for more distant shapes and crisper lines for closer areas. The colours of the trees or objects will appear lighter, that is, they will be less vivid.
•
In case of many plants and trees in the composition, the details may be drawn in more as overall shading. Notice again how the distant tree is a smooth light tone, while even the bark texture is clearly visible on the closer tree.
•
Fill in as many details as you can. Colour it if you like.
5
Self-check Questions 1. What is a Perspective view? 2. What do you mean by perspective drawing? 3. What is the point of convergence in a perspective? 4. Define the following terms: •
Station point
•
Ground plane
•
Horizon line
•
Vanishing point
5. In ______ point perspective there is only one ________ point on the ______ line, while in case of ______ point; there are ____ such points. 6. _________ point perspective is used for scenes above or below the viewer.
12.5 Assignments 12.5.1 Class assignments i)
Choose any corner or any view from the position where you are sitting inside your class room and try to draw that perspective view.
12.5.2 Home assignments i)
Go outside your house and choose any farsighted scene up to say 10 yards from you and draw and paint the scene adding perspective effects to it.
12.6 Summing Up We have now come to the end of this unit of Drawing. As described in this unit, the character of a subject, which is an amalgamation of size and proportion, form and shape, details and textures, effect of light and shade, must come through your drawing. Accuracy in representation is more important than highly styled rendering. Concentration in your effort and sustained practice only will help you hone your skills. These are the very skills that are essential in Drawing what you see, or drawing what you do not see. 6
When you create and represent that which you have designed but do not yet exist. In conclusion, it has been a journey of understanding, drawing and representation through use of different tools, various techniques, variety of subjects and things as we see them around us. It has been a journey of discovery, of how we see, look, observe and understand what we see. We have come a fair distance in observing, analyzing and representing what we see, and above all we have gained confidence in our expression of the same. In doing so, we have added value to the drawings we make and to our experience in learning how to draw.
12.7 Possible Answers to Self-check Questions 1. Everything around us appears larger if it close to us and tends to appear smaller as it become distant. The farther the object the smaller it would appear. This is known as a Perspective view. 2. Perspective drawing involves plotting the angles and degrees of convergence and diminishment in relation to the viewer’s location, the position of objects viewed, and the point of convergence. 3. The point of convergence of parallel lines is actually an imaginary point, which is the farthest point of sight. 4. Definitions: •
Station Point or viewing point: This is a fixed point from which an object is viewed, that is actually the eyes of the viewer.
•
Ground plane: This is the horizontal plane on which the viewer or object is standing.
•
Eye level or horizon line: The line corresponds to the eye – level of the viewer and the points of convergence lie on this line. It lies parallel to the Ground plane.
5. One, vanishing, horizon, two, two, two, parallel 6. Three
12.8 Terminal Questions 1. Explain the basic principle of perspective with an example. 2. Illustrate the different types of perspective drawing with figures.
7
12.9 References and Suggested Further Reading 1. Anonymous. 2006. The Complete Guide to Drawing and Painting. Quantum Publishing Ltd, London. 2. Dunnigan, D. 1987. Improve Your Painting. Foster Art Service, Inc., California. 3. Foster, W. 1997. The Art of Pastels. Walter Foster Publishing, Inc., California. 4. Powell, W.F. 1997. The Art of Drawing Still Life. Walter Foster Publishing, Inc, California.
12.10 Glossary 1.
Amalgamation
Uniting, merger
2.
Convergence
The occurrence of two or more things coming together
3.
Diminishment
Decrease in size, extent, or range
4.
Illusion
Something many people believe that is false
8