Topic 8 - Colour and pictorial space

Question 1

What do Artists use colour for?

Answer 1

Many different reasons and to produce a wide range of effects in painting, especially in relation to light.

Question 2

What many functions can the primary colour blue perform?

Answer 2

• Descriptive.
• Symbolic.
• Spiritual.
• Psychological.
• Spatial illusion.
• Compositional linking.
• Scientific.
• Shadow.

Question 3

What are the Two types of perspective?

Answer 3

Linear perspective and aerial/atmospheric perspective.

Question 4

What does Foreshortening refer to?

Answer 4

The application of linear perspective to a figure or object rather than throughout.

Question 5

What is Naturalism?

Answer 5

The faithful representation of the observable world.

Question 6

What did ancient Roman frescoes use?

Answer 6

Similar system to Mathematical linear perspective to create a convincing illusion of a three-dimensional world on a flat two-dimensional surface.

Question 7

What is the Horizon line?

Answer 7

The viewer’s eyeline.

Question 8

What are Orthogonals?

Answer 8

Diagonal lines.

Question 9

What is One-point linear perspective?

Answer 9

Question 10

What are elements of a one-point linear perspective?

Answer 10

• Vanishing point.
• Horizon line.
• Orthogonals.

Question 11

Four things we need to know about Pictorial space: linear perspective:
(1)

Answer 11

1. Fra Angelico was the first artist to use Alberti’s system to create a ‘stage-like space’ in his San Marco Altarpiece.

Question 12

Four things we need to know about Pictorial space: linear perspective:
(2)

Answer 12

2. Artists sometimes only use linear perspective for a part of their work. In his San Romano Battle, Paulo Uccello totally ignores perspective for the landscape.

Question 13

Four things we need to know about Pictorial space: linear perspective:
(3)

Answer 13

3. It doesn’t always work perfectly. In The Flagellation, Piero della Francesca’s maths is perfect but it’s not convincing because the illusion of depth is so great – the equivalent of 24 metres.

Question 14

Four things we need to know about Pictorial space: linear perspective:
(4)

Answer 14

4. You can have more than one vanishing point: Andrea Mantegna has two in St James Led to his Execution.

Question 15

What does Foreshortening refer to?

Answer 15

The application of linear perspective to a figure or object rather than throughout.

Question 16

What is Foreshortening one of the most effective ways to show what?

Answer 16

The figure naturalistically in space.

Question 17

What does Foreshortening depict?

Answer 17

An object (e.g. a limb) on a two-dimensional surface to create the illusion of it projecting or extending in space.

Question 18

Did the artist know how to use mathematical one-point linear perspective?

How can you tell?

Answer 18

No - the lines of the floor tiles (orthogonals) do not match up.

Question 19

Look at the landscape scene through the window.

How has the artist suggested space in the far distance?

What effect has he created?

Answer 19

Colours fade and become pale blue but there is still a line at the horizon.

Atmospheric or aerial perspective.

Question 20

How does Leonardo use Atmospheric or aerial perspective in the Mona Lisa?

Answer 20

Question 21

Who is Atmospheric or aerial perspective widely used by?

Answer 21

Landscape painters.

Question 22

Why do you think landscape painters have tended to suggest distance using aerial or atmospheric perspective rather than linear perspective?

Answer 22

Mathematical linear perspective to a large extent depends on the presence of architectural elements, which are often absent from landscape scenes.

Question 23

What are the Two components of Atmospheric perspective?

Answer 23

• Forms in the distance are less clear.
• Forms in the distance are paler and bluer.