Perspective Made Easy- Dover Art Instruction

Synopsis

Perspective is easy; yet, surprisingly few artists know the simple rules that make it so. Now they can remedy that situation with this step-by-step book, the first devoted entirely to clarifying the laws of perspective. Using over 250 simple line drawings, the author leads the reader through every important concept. 256 illustrations.

Summary

Perspective Made Easy (Dover Art Instruction) is a book that helps everyone from artists to architects to gain a better understanding of the fundamentals of perspective drawing. The book is divided into chapters that explain how to create perspective drawings step by step and illustrate visual examples of what a properly executed perspective drawing looks like.

Chapter 1: Introduction

The first chapter of Perspective Made Easy provides an introduction to perspective drawing and why it is important for any artist to learn. It explains the basics of composition, the types of perspective, linear and atmospheric, and the basic principles of perspective drawing. The chapter also introduces the book’s main focus – simple linear perspective, which allows for detailed and accurate drawing.

Real Example

To illustrate this basic principle, consider a scene of a street scene with trees on one side and a house on the other. To achieve the correct perspective of the scene, the artist must follow the guidelines of Linear perspective. This means that the lines of the houses and trees must all get smaller as they get further away, and that the lines will all converge at a single vanishing point. This will give the drawing a three dimensional effect, creating the illusion of depth and distance.

Chapter 2: Points, Vanishing Points and Lines

The second chapter of Perspective Made Easy dives into the fundamental elements of perspective such as points, vanishing points and lines. It explains how points create lines and how these lines create shapes. It also explains how vanishing points help to create perspective with a focus on the horizon line. This section also explains the concept of aerial perspective, which is useful when rendering volumes form.

Real Example

To illustrate the importance of points, vanishing points and lines in perspective drawing, consider a scene of a river surrounded by mountains. To achieve the correct perspective of the scene, the artist must create a horizon line, which is the point at which the lines representing the mountains and the river converge. All of the lines representing the river, mountains and trees should get smaller as they get further away from the horizon line and as they get closer to the vanishing point. This will create the illusion of distance and depth, ensuring that the final drawing looks realistic and three-dimensional.

Chapter 3: Proportion and Scale

The third chapter of Perspective Made Easy focuses on the concept of scale in perspective drawing. It explains how to create a properly proportioned drawing by understanding and manipulating the size relationship between objects. It also explains the importance of understanding the scale of the drawing in order to create a more realistic effect.

Real Example

To illustrate this, consider a scene of a sprawling city. To create the correct perspective of the scene, the artist must understand the scale of the drawin. This includes not only the size of each building, but also the amount of space between those buildings. By shifting the relative sizes of different buildings and spacing them appropriately, the artist can create the illusion of the city stretching out into the distance. This will create a more realistic and engaging drawing.

Chapter 4: Foreshortening and Angles

The fourth chapter of Perspective Made Easy discusses foreshortening and angles. It explains how to use foreshortening to create the illusion of distance and to convery the roundness of form. It also explains the importance of drawing angles correctly in order to achieve the correct perspective.

Real Example

To illustrate the importance of foreshortening and angles, consider a scene of a tall tower or skyscraper. To create the correct perspective of the tower, the artist must understand how angling the lines will make the tower appear taller and instead of wider. By also using foreshortening to create the illusion of depth and distance, the artist can achieve the desired effect in their drawing.

Chapter 5: Creating Depth and Space

The fifth chapter of Perspective Made Easy covers the topic of creating depth and space in a drawing. This involves understanding the concept of atmospheric perspective. It explains how to use tone, color, and texture to create the illusion of volume and various vanishing points for larger scenes.

Real Example

For example, consider a scene of a countryside valley. To create the correct perspective of the scene, the artist must understand how to use the principles of atmospheric perspective. This means using values and colors which become increasingly lighter and softer as objects get further away from the viewer. This will create the illusion of depth in the drawing, making the objects in the far distance appear distant and hazy.

Overall, Perspective Made Easy (Dover Art Instruction) is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to learn the fundamentals of perspective drawing. By clearly explaining and illustrating the different elements of perspective, the book is an essential guide for any aspiring artist or architect.