Landscapes

Illustion of Depth: Showing Space in 2D Art

Artists use placement to show space that is near and far. The Godzilla at the bottom of the page is in the foreground: this is what artists call the part of the picture that looks close up.  The creatures in the middle ground and background (far away, at the top of the page) appear further away. 

Artists also use size variation to show near and far. Which Godzilla is the biggest? Medium? Smallest? Objects appear to get smaller as they near the horizon line: where the sky and earth appear to meet. Watch the films below to learn even more strategies. 

Linear Perspective and Atmospheric Perspective

Linear perspective is a complex system that uses lines, points, and angles to show depth or space in a work of art.