Demonstration

More on Perspective

In LESSON MODULE 9, we discussed perspective a little. It is the creation of the illusion of a three dimensional space on a two dimensional (painted) surface. One of the things discussed was linear perspective, the convergence of lines, objects, etc. toward a single vanishing point. Linear perspective was introduced to Japan during the Edo Period (1603 - 1867) as toshi-gahō. Linear perspective presents a person looking at a painting with a single point of view.

Floating perspective is an alternative to linear perspective. It was described by Guo Xi (1020 1090), a prominent landscape artist of China's Northern Song Dynasty (960 - 1127) whose masterpiece, Early Spring, is shown in unit 11.1. Guo Xi's term for floating perspective was "the angle of totality." In effect, multiple view points coexist in the same painting. Guo Xi defined three kinds.

1. An upward view as of the top of a mountain as seen from its base.

2. A downward view as of a valley seen from above.

3. A level view of a scene at the same elevation as the viewer.

This is a very simplistic way of describing the idea of floating perspective, but it gives a rough notion of the concept.

Calligraphy

Here is the kanji character for willow (yanagi) for those who wish to practice their calligraphy.

Demonstration Painting

Here is my demonstration painting. It is spring time, and the leaves are just beginning to bud.