Perspective Drawing and Rendering

Overview

Students learn how to create the illusion of three dimensions on a two-dimensional drawing surface. The lectures cover the basics of the visual perception of space, and the artistic techniques based on it. Perspective topics include its use as a descriptive and compositional device, a discussion of the limits of linear perspective, and the use of alternative ways to represent space. Rendering topics include explanations of the surface qualities of various materials, and the accurate depiction of the materials' interaction with light.

One hour lecture and three hours studio per week. Course may be taken twice for credit.

First Semester Topics

1. Basics of the visual perception of space.
   1. Factors affecting depth perception.
   2. 3D shape recognition from 2D images.
   3. Optical illusions and impossible objects.
2. Linear systems of geometric perspective.
   1. Orthogonal projections (plan and elevation).
   2. One-, two-, and three-point perspective of prisms.
   3. Circles and ellipses, and derived curves.
   4. Cylinders, spheres, and other simple curved objects.
   5. Comparison of constructed and observed perspective.
3. Rendering principles and techniques.
   1. Light, depth and atmosphere.
   2. Shadow casting.
   3. Surface qualities.
      1. Texture.
      2. Reflectiveness.
      3. Transparency.
   4. Pictorial representation issues.
      1. Tight rendering styles versus loose styles.
      2. Opaque media versus transparent media.
      3. Top-down workflows versus bottom-up workflows.
      4. Depth cues in black and white and in color.
4. Perspective and rendering applications.
   1. Concept development.
   2. Documentary images: product and architectural renderings, non-fiction illustration.
   3. Narrative and evocative images: fiction illustration, stand-alone art.
   4. Perceptual displacement: from scene painting to virtual reality.

Second Semester Topics

1. Review of linear perspective.
   1. Construction of complex shapes from simple forms.
   2. Assembly of complex shapes to describe architectural spaces.
   3. Placement of figures in exterior and interior architectural spaces.
   4. Perspective grid systems.
   5. Basics of computer-assisted perspective drawing.
2. Beyond linear perspective.
   1. Non-linear systems of geometric perspective.
   2. Representations of space in other times, cultures, and professions.
   3. Extensions to, and rejection of, linear perspective in modern art.
3. Review of rendering techniques and media.
   1. Complex issues of light, depth, and atmospheric perspective.
   2. Shadow casting, complex and simple forms.
   3. Simple and complex surface qualities.
   4. Further exploration of rendering media.
4. Perspective and rendering as compositional devices.
   1. Choice of viewpoint and perspective forcing to establish visual hierarchies.
   2. Influence of rendering on figure-ground relationship.
   3. Extending perspective ideas to other visual organizing principles.
   4. Exploration of realistic versus expressive interpretations.

Outcomes

Students successful in this class will:

• Analyze visual and verbal scene descriptions, arriving at an understanding of spatial relationships within the scene.
• Complete assigned drawing projects, creating illusionistic representations of objects in space.
• Discriminate between spatial representations suited to different expressive goals.

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Created: 2005-02-04. Last Updated: 2005-03-08 This document originally at <http://www.sanedraw.com/ED/CURRICLM/PERSPCTV.HTM> Copyright 2005 by | Sandro Corsi |