Foreshortening

Definition: Foreshortening occurs when an object appears compressed when seen from a
particular viewpoint, and the effect of perspective causes distortion. Foreshortening is a
particularly effective artistic device, used to give the impression of three-dimensional
volume and create drama in a picture.

Foreshortening is most successful when accurately rendered on the picture plane to create
the illusion of a figure in space.

Foreshortening is a technique used in perspective to create the illusion of an object

receding into the background.

An example of foreshortening would be when you look down a long straight road lined
with trees, the two edges of the road appear to move towards each other and the trees
look smaller the further away they are. Or if you're drawing at a person lying on their
back with their feet facing towards you, you'd draw their feet larger than their head to
capture the illusion.

Foreshortening is closely linked with perspective, although it usually comes into play
when drawing the figure (or animals) when we must rely on the eye rather than
constructed perspective. When you are drawing a more complex shape, the effect of
foreshortening can be very difficult to achieve convincingly - you can end up with what
looks like a very misshapen object. Practice, and trust your eyes, and practice - its not
easy! The Old Masters loved using foreshortening to show how great they really were!

A few tips:

Sit still and straight! A gradual slouch of only an inch can drastically affect the drawing
of a foreshortened limb. Make a mental note of the relationship of a near and distant
static object to reference your head position.
Draw what you see, not what you think it should look like. Yes it looks odd at first, but
properly finished off it should all make sense.
Observe how further elements (such as the horses' hindquarters or the person's shoulders)
seem to disappear in behind closer elements (the horse's head, or the person's hand).
Allow your lines to reflect this.
Note that elements closer to you will seem proportionately larger than further away.
Use line weight - something drawn boldly and using contrast will 'jump' from the page.
Perspective
Perspective is the technique used to represent a three-dimensional world (what we see) on
a two-dimensional surface (a piece of paper or canvas) in a way that looks realistic and
accurate, as we see it in nature. Perspective is used to create an illusion of space and
depth on a flat surface (or the picture plane).
Definition: Linear Perspective is the apparent diminishing of scale as the distance from
object to viewer increases. Each set of horizontal lines has its own vanishing point. For
simplicity, artists usually focus on correctly rendering one, two or three vanishing points.

In one-point perspective, the horizontals and verticals which run across the field of view
remain parallel, as their vanishing points are at 'infinity', with horizontals which are
perpendicular to the viewer vanish towards a point near the center of the image.

In two point perspective, the viewer is positioned such that objects (such as boxes or
buildings) are viewed from one corner, so that two sets of horizontals diminish towards
vanishing points at the outer edges of the picture plane, while only verticals remain
perpendicular.

In three point perspective the viewer is looking up or down so that the verticals also
converge on a vanishing point at the top or bottom of the image.

Atmospheric perspective attempts to duplicate the visual effect of near objects being crisp
and clear, while distant objects may be less distinct and muted.

An understanding of perspective drawing is important no matter what subject you choose.

It's easier than you think. Just start at the beginning, follow the examples, then progress
to the next lesson when you are comfortable. Don't be afraid to experiment with
perspective drawing. Your eyes will tell you when something looks right or wrong. Have
fun!
1. Simple Boxes in One Point Perspective

Learning to draw simple boxes in one point perspective is a

great introduction to 'three d' perspective drawing. Because the shapes are simple, you
can easily see if you've made a mistake. Follow along with this lesson to draw our
own three-d boxes using one point linear perspective.

2. Draw Boxes in Two Point Perspective

 To really have fun with perspective drawing, you need two
vanishing points. Now you can draw cool 3D effects! It's a little more complex than one
point perspective, because you have to make sure that you draw your vanishing lines to
the right vanishing point. But once you get the idea, it's a breeze - you barely have to give
it a second thought.

2. Find the Center of a Square or Rectangle in Perspective

It's a very simple process, using diagonals to locate the center of a square or rectangle in
perspective. From there, you can use this point to divide the shape into half or four, or use
the center points to place the vertex of a roofline or column. Works in one or two point
perspective.

4. Draw a Pyramid in Perspective

Now you know how to draw boxes and find the center of their faces in perspective, you
can learn to draw a pyramid. Follow the steps and learn to draw a 3D pyramid in one
point and two point perspective. You could try drawing two from the same base - one
pointing up, one down, to draw a crystal.

5. Draw a Brick Wall in Perspective

Use your knowledge of perspective drawing to create a complex surface. Combine the
basic methods of linear perspective and dividing planes to draw a detailed brick wall with
accurate perspective.

6. Draw Atmospheric or Aerial Perspective

.
All of the perspective we've done so far has been Linear Perspective. However another
form of perspective drawing - Atmospheric or Aerial perspective - is an important
addition to your drawing skills 'toolbox'. Atmospheric perspective is most fully used by
landscape artists, but the principles involved are also useful in portraiture and still life.

How to Draw Perspective

Draw a Box Using One-Point Perspective

Let's draw a box using one-point perspective. First, draw a horizon line about one-
third down your page. Mark a spot roughly in the middle of the line. That's your
vanishing point.

Now, draw a rectangle about two-thirds down the page, roughly in the middle.
Lightly draw lines from the top two corners to the vanishing point.

Draw a Box Using Two-Point Perspective

Here's how to draw a box using simple two-point perspective. If you haven't tried it
before it might look complicated, so just draw one step at a time.

First, draw your horizon line across the top of the page. Mark two vanishing points, as far
apart as possible.
Draw a short vertical line for the front corner of your box (the black line in the picture)
and then draw a construction line ('orthogonal') from the top and bottom of the line, to
each vanishing point (the dark blue lines).
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Vanishing Point
Definition:

A term used in perspective to describe the point on the horizon where parallel lines
appear to meet.

For example, railway tracks going into the distance: you know the two tracks are parallel
to each other and remain the same distance apart, but the further away they get, the closer
they appear to become to each other.

Horizon Line/ Eye Level

Definition: Where the land (or sea) and sky meet. A term used in perspective. The
horizon may be obscured by trees or buildings, but it's important to know where it is if
you're painting a realistic scene as you need to get it straight. Otherwise your painting
will look as if it's falling to one side.