Space
Shape = a flat, two dimensional area. It s boundaries can be measured in height and width Form = a solid, three-dimensional area. It s boundaries are measured using height, width, and depth.
Positive Shape (Positive Space) = The shape or form that immediately grabs our attention; the dominant shape in the composition Negative Shape (Negative Space) = the background of any image, or the space between and around a form.
Donald Sultan, Lemons, May 16, 1984, 1984
Barbara Hepworth, Family of Man, 1970
Defining Space in 2-Dimensional Art How does an artist create a sense of depth (of three dimensions) on a flat canvas? Answer: Perspective! 1. Linear Perspective Architectural, Mathematical 2. Atmospheric Perspective - Color Changes, Light and Shadows 3. Oblique Projection - Layering, Overlapping Shapes 4. Axonometric Projection Blueprints, Instructions
Linear Perspective Linear Perspective = a mathematical system that allows a 2-dimensional picture plane to appear 3-dimensional. The image is like a window through which a specific scene is presented to the viewer. Often can be so captivating, so illusionistic that we believe it is real, or actually three-dimensional. Architecture! Rooms, buildings - geometry
Leonardo Da Vinci, The Last Supper, 1495-98
Vanishing point = a point on the viewers horizon: the point where all architectural lines meet.
Horizon Line = The line where one s line of sight stops This is often the point where artists put the vanishing point Is usually easily recognizable as a literal horizon, the meeting of earth and sky.
Raphaello Sanzio de Urbino (Raphael), School of Athens, 1509-1510
William Hogarth, Marriage A La Mode, 1743-45
Frontal Recession = vanishing point is in or around the middle of the painting, directly across from the viewer Leonardo Da Vinci, The Last Supper, 1495-98
Diagonal Recession = vanishing point is off to the side of a painting or image. William Hogarth, Marriage A La Mode, 1743-45
Gustave Caillebotte, Place de l Europe on a Rainy Day, 1876-77
One-Point Perspective = One vanishing point. Two-Point Perspective = Two vanishing points. Three Point Perspective = Three vanishing points ETC The more vanishing points, the more dynamic (and more complicated) an image is.
Leonardo Da Vinci, The Last Supper, 1495-98 Vanishing point is right in the middle it s Jesus s head. Frontal Recession One point perspective
Gustave Caillebotte, Place de l Europe on a Rainy Day, 1876-77 Vanishing points are in the middle and to the sides of the image. Frontal Recession Two point perspective
Atmospheric Perspective Quality of the atmosphere between viewer and objects changes the appearance of objects.
Foreground = clarity, precision, contrast Background = objects appear less distinct, somewhat blue, and there is less contrast to the object. Very important for landscape painters. Define space without lines, buildings, or people. Spiritual reality for artists such as Turner and Rembrandt
Leonardo Da Vinci, Virgin of the Rocks 1495-1508
J. M. W Turner, Rain, Steam, and Speed The Great Western Railway, 1844
Oblique Projection Seen in eastern art, especially Japanese art. Also seen in medieval art prior to the renaissance, artists didn t know the mathematics necessary to create an accurate sense of depth in their art Flatten the space not so worried about the continuity of space from foreground to background Alter one or two sides of a form (but not all three) to imply perspective and depth Condense space objects that are normally far apart can be close together, or vice versa Sides are usually parallel No vanishing point
Steve DiBenedetto, Deliverance, 2004
Giotto di Bondone, Ognissanti Madonna, 1310
Axonometric Projection Used mostly by architects and engineers Changes of scale in linear perspective (distance makes things smaller) do not apply here good for designing objects and buildings. All sides are parallel No vanishing point No other techniques used to imply depth.