Perspective Illusion or Reality

Notice how artists use perspective to enhance our belief in their visual stories? Here, in Van Gogh's painting (Cafe Terrace, Place du Forum, Arles of 1888), he is using his technical skill to convincingly create depth and space. However, he does this without appearing tight and technical - as do traditional architectural drawings. As artists we have a myriad of ways of using perspective in our work.
We've been working with elements and principles throughout the semester. What do you recall from them? How many of them can you name from memory?
At the end of this webquest, you'll create a composition using one-point perspective, that also employs your understanding of balance, scale, space, shape and line - and any other elements and principles you wish to employ.

While at this website:

     a)-choose three examples from the works shown on pages assigned in the Process section, copy and paste the examples into your juornals, and describe in your own words, why you think the artists did or did not succeed. You may create drawings or diagrams to assist you in your explanation (or both), and you may overdraw on the pictures.  Be sure to name the artist, the date the painting was made and the name of the painting for each example you use!
     b)-search Google Art Project (there's a link in the Process section) to find three of your own examples of Renaissance paintings that use architectural elements (either interior or exterior venues) to paste into your journal. Again, be sure to name the artist, the date the painting was made and the name of the painting for each example!  Overdraw the image in your journal to show where the vanishing point is located.

       Extra Credit: find at least one example of Renaissance art  (that is NOT on the linked website, but may be at Google Art Project or another site of your choosing) that did not succeed in creating perspective properly. Paste a copy of it in your journal and overdraw orthogonal lines to prove the inaccuracy of the painting's perspective. Name the artist, the date the painting was made and the name of the painting!

     a)- While watching the videos, each of you must make notes of important points that you find personally interesting or that may help you with the rest of your group's quest. Take opportunities to replay parts of the video that  may be worth more attention or following-up. Compare notes with each other and brainstorm to choose ways of researching "b & c" below-
     b) -Your group must research examples of the Camera Obscura apparatus and the Optical Lens described in the Met's presentation. Compare findings and paste the examples you find of the apparatus(es)  into your journals. Include information you found about your example(s).
     c) - For each of the methods covered in the videos, identify an artist and three examples of work in which he utilized it.   Gather the examples your group finds, determine which are clearest examples of the tools in use, and paste these examples into each of your journals. Include any information you find about who made it, who used it and when.

For Task 5 ) � Observe the instructor's demonstration of how to create one-point perspective cubes and a horizon using a pencil, paper and a ruler.  Practice this technique until you have a successfully drawn an example of several cubes and a horizon in your journal. Begin to consider your preferences for designing your final drawing's composition. You may choose to use some time here(depending on how you've been organizing your time) to make thumbnail notes of ideas you are considering for this drawing. You may also determine a theme and create a list of items and ideas in your journal you wish to include in your composition.

For Task 6 ) -  Choose which method of drawing perspective (computer or handmade) to employ to create your own composition depicting space in one-point perspective for designing your final drawing.

For task 7 ) - Create thumbnails in your journal to plan your composition. Discuss your goals with your instructor before proceeding.

For Task 8) - Your final assignment: Apply the perspective skills you've learned on a drawing on one of the following themes:

*Your dream bedroom    -or-    living room   -or-     *A drawing of a cityscape from the future

Remember; details create interest for the viewer, demonstrate more effective use of the elements and principles, and improve the quality of your work