Have you ever noticed that artists use special tricks to make their pictures look like they are going back into the distance?
Let’s explore some of their tricks and tips.
Horizon Line
The horizon is the line where the land or sea appears to meet the sky.
If an artist wants us to feel like we are looking at the painting from higher above, the horizon line will be put further up in the painting.
If an artist wants us to feel like we are looking at the painting from below, the horizon line will be put lower down in the painting.
Linear Perspective
Artists give a feeling of distance by making the hoizontal lines of objects and bulidings meet at a ‘Vanishing Point’. The point is placed on the horizon line. Objects in the distance get smaller as the lines move together.
Landscapes in the Gallery |
| There are lots of landscapes to see at the Birmingham Art Gallery! | |
 | ‘Landscape Near Rome with a View of the Pont Molle’ by Claude Lorrain. The artist makes us feel as if the painting goes far back into the distance using aerial perspective. Colours in the background are much paler than those in the foreground. |
 | ‘Rue a Pontoise’ by Maurice Utrillo.This landscape could also be described as a cityscape. The artist uses linear perspective in his painting, making the horizontal lines join together at the vanishing point. |