Keeping perspective in perspective

What is perspective?

In simple terms, perspective provides various ways for an artist to create the illusion of depth on an otherwise one dimensional surface.

Aerial perspective, a term first coined by Leonardo da Vinci describes the act of recession. Colour fades and contrast weakens the further away the object. It's nothing we didn't already know, but sometimes we need to be reminded.

A camp fire at its height will appear red, yellow or orange, but most of all it will appear warm. As the fire dies the colours fade and eventually all that remains is grey or white ash. Basically no colour at all. Now imagine sitting in front of that fire. It will feel hot - let's face it, the hotter it is the closer it will feel. Stay in the same place and when the fire has died and cooled and it will seem much further away.

Let's translate this into art . . .

Focus on your centre of interest

Unless very abstract every painting would benefit from a focal point or centre of interest. The trick is make sure your chosen focal point doesn't melt into the backround.

In many pictures the focal point will be obvious. It's probably why you chose that particular subject to paint. Take the photo on the left: what else apart from the rowing boats could you choose as your focal point?

Losing one boat to avoid competition or toning down the colours on the lighter boat to lessen the rivalry might help. It's your decision.

The fishing boat on the right sits in the centre and is clearly the focal point, but could you improve the emphasis?