PERSPECTIVE Vocabulary
Perspective – The position from which one views a particular object. As perspective changes so does the appearance of the object.
Picture Plane – The imaginary vertical plane of a picture that is closest to your eye. You could think of the paper on which you draw, as the picture plane. Pictures with depth appear to recede from the picture plane. Plane – Flat or level surface such as a tabletop, or the ground.
Horizon – The edge that appears where the ground meets the sky in the distance. Artists use the horizon to control the height perspective of the viewer.
Vanishing Point – A point on the horizon where receding lines meet. All implied parallel lines meet at the same vanishing point. Artists use vanishing points to control the side to side perspective of the viewer.
Ground Rule – Objects on the ground appear to move higher up on the picture plane as they recede.
Horizon Rule – Objects appear to move closer to the horizon as they recede. Things in the sky, above the horizon will appear lower in the sky as the recede.
Size Rule – Objects appear smaller as they recede.
Overlap – Objects that are closer to your eye will appear to cover up objects that are further away and in the same line of sight.
Line Weight – Qualities of a line having to do with thick or thin, light or dark.
One Point Perspective – Situation in which all receding lines meet at the same point on the horizon.
Two Point Perspective – Situation in which all receding lines meet at one of two points on opposite far ends on the horizon. Usually occurs when the corner of an object is closest to your eye.
Bird’s eye view – As though you are looking down, and seeing the tops of objects.
Worm’s eye view – As though you are looking up, and seeing the bottom of objects.