Drawing In Perspective
One of the most challenging assignments that we may be given is to draw accurately in perspective. A few questions plagued me for years due to the incomplete information found in the drawing books that I resourced. Is perspective drawing simply a visual concept or does this discipline really explain the real world around us? Considering that we were all exposed to a straight lined, cubical modern world from the time we opened up our eyes, why does perspective feel so difficult to grasp? Finally, is there a definable way to measure diminishing space that progressively gets smaller in the distance?
Yes, amazingly enough, perspective explains our real world, is definable and measurable, and even explains the reality of photography and lenses. The key geometric form that becomes the quintessential model for perspective is the cube. One unit up, one unit across and one unit deep. In our exploration of the cube, we will learn to accurately measure it in one and two point perspective, and measure the distance from the point that we are standing. Considering that, we have the resources necessary to plot every measurement within our field of view. Nothing short of exciting!
We will approach this subject more towards the summer season when we are aching to get into a ‘plein air’, or cityscape setting. Our exploration will include compositional principles as they readily compliment the use of important leading lines and weight concepts like the ‘Steel Yard’ principle. And, to top it off, adding figurative references to guide our visual eye in the way of distances, measurements and compositions is a must as we embrace the groundwork set by great northern masters.
Enjoy this feature as a regular part of the Mark Anthony Studio Online Atelier program.
Key fundamentals include:
Picture Plane / Ground Plane relationship and definitions
Size and distance relationships
Drawing the cube in parallel (1 point) and angular (2 point) perspective
The magic of diagonals
Drawing repeating measurements in receding space
Drawing complex objects in receding space
Shadows perspective
Reflections perspective