Topic 8 - Colour and pictorial space Flashcards
What do Artists use colour for?
Many different reasons and to produce a wide range of effects in painting, especially in relation to light.
What many functions can the primary colour blue perform?
- Descriptive.
- Symbolic.
- Spiritual.
- Psychological.
- Spatial illusion.
- Compositional linking.
- Scientific.
- Shadow.
What are the Two types of perspective?
Linear perspective and aerial/atmospheric perspective.
What does Foreshortening refer to?
The application of linear perspective to a figure or object rather than throughout.
What is Naturalism?
The faithful representation of the observable world.
What did ancient Roman frescoes use?
Similar system to Mathematical linear perspective to create a convincing illusion of a three-dimensional world on a flat two-dimensional surface.
What is the Horizon line?
The viewer’s eyeline.
What are Orthogonals?
Diagonal lines.
What is One-point linear perspective?
What are elements of a one-point linear perspective?
- Vanishing point.
- Horizon line.
- Orthogonals.
Four things we need to know about Pictorial space: linear perspective:
(1)
- Fra Angelico was the first artist to use Alberti’s system to create a ‘stage-like space’ in his San Marco Altarpiece.
Four things we need to know about Pictorial space: linear perspective:
(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.
Four things we need to know about Pictorial space: linear perspective:
(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.
Four things we need to know about Pictorial space: linear perspective:
(4)
- You can have more than one vanishing point: Andrea Mantegna has two in St James Led to his Execution.
What does Foreshortening refer to?
The application of linear perspective to a figure or object rather than throughout.
What is Foreshortening one of the most effective ways to show what?
The figure naturalistically in space.
What does Foreshortening depict?
An object (e.g. a limb) on a two-dimensional surface to create the illusion of it projecting or extending in space.
Did the artist know how to use mathematical one-point linear perspective?
How can you tell?
No - the lines of the floor tiles (orthogonals) do not match up.
Look at the landscape scene through the window.
How has the artist suggested space in the far distance?
What effect has he created?
Colours fade and become pale blue but there is still a line at the horizon.
Atmospheric or aerial perspective.
How does Leonardo use Atmospheric or aerial perspective in the Mona Lisa?
Who is Atmospheric or aerial perspective widely used by?
Landscape painters.
Why do you think landscape painters have tended to suggest distance using aerial or atmospheric perspective rather than linear perspective?
Mathematical linear perspective to a large extent depends on the presence of architectural elements, which are often absent from landscape scenes.
What are the Two components of Atmospheric perspective?
- Forms in the distance are less clear.
- Forms in the distance are paler and bluer.
