City Streets in One-Point Perspective Many artists are very interested in making two-dimensional artworks look threedimensional. During the Renaissance, artists used mathematics and close observation to invent "linear perspective"-a technique that helps artists make things look three dimensional. This lesson teaches the basics of drawing forms in one-point perspective. Students can then transform their drawings into a city scene. This lesson can be paired with the lesson plan "Fantasy Buildings in Two- Point Perspective" which covers much of the same content but the teaches two-point perspective techniques. Online Activities If you have a computer with Internet access in your classroom, you can introduce your students to one-point perspective online. Lifetime of ColorTM web site (www.sanfordcorp.com/artedventures) offers online activities/tutorials about perspective and depth. You can also find helpful Technique Demos, ArtEdventures and Lessons which will reinforce the concepts and techniques taught in this lesson. Background Students should understand the basic concepts of creating depth (overlap, size, position, detail and color). Students should understand how to use a ruler (or triangle) as a straightedge. They should be familiar with vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines. They also may need to know how to do some simple measuring. You may also want to teach two-point perspective using Sanford's lesson plan "Fantasy Buildings in Two-Point Perspective." Vocabulary linear perspective Front Face one-point perspective two-point perspective
horizon line vanishing point orthogonal horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines Background Information Renaissance The Renaissance (1400-1600) was a great rebirth of European learning and discovery. It ended 1000 years of superstition and ignorance that followed the fall of Rome. The Renaissance began in Italy and then spread throughout northern Europe. Art, science and literature all grew tremendously during the Renaissance, led by artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, scientists like Galileo, and writers like Shakespeare. Renaissance artists concentrated on investigating and representing the real world. Artists continued to depict religious subjects but also began to portray the human experience. There was renewed interest in naturalistic styles and formal rules of composition such as perspective. The Greek classical ideals of ideal proportions (for depicting the human body as well as for architecture and painting) also regained popularity. Important artists of the Italian Renaissance were Donatello, Piero, Raphael, Titian, along with Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. In northern Europe, important Renaissance artists were Albrect Dürer, Hans Holbein, and Pieter Brueghel. Linear Perspective Perspective is a technique for representing three-dimensional space on a flat surface. Many artists around the world have employed various techniques for portraying depth. However, it wasn't until the Renaissance that artists invented a mathematical system to show depth logically and consistently. The system of linear perspective gave artists a powerful new tool for creating realistic art. Linear perspective is based on the way the human eye sees the world-objects which are closer appear larger, and more distant objects appear smaller. To create this illusion of space, the artist establishes a vanishing point on the horizon line. Objects are drawn using orthogonal lines which lead to the vanishing point(s). In one-point perspective, the forms are seen face on and are drawn to a single vanishing point.
Drawing Demonstration Explain that every line they make in one-point perspective will be vertical, horizontal or an orthogonal line (irregular shapes and lines can be dealt with later).
Draw the vanishing point in the center of the horizon line and label it. Now draw a square or rectangle and label it "front face". Draw it in one of the lower corners so you have plenty of room to add more forms. You can continue to relate the drawing to the physical box model as you work.
Now connect three corners of your rectangle or square to the vanishing point. These are orthogonals. Draw lightly so you can erase! Draw a horizontal line to end your form. Draw a vertical line down from the horizontal line to complete the side. Erase the remaining orthogonals.
Final Drawing: City Streets When they are comfortable with one-point perspective drawing, give students drawing paper to create a final drawing. Remind them to draw lightly so extra lines can be erased. Have them create a city street scene (see example in student handout). Once they have the basic forms done, have them add details such as signs, fire hydrants, sidewalks etc. to liven up their drawings. GRADES 5-8 CONTENT AND ACHIEVEMENT STANDARDs Content Standard #1: Understanding and applying media, techniques, and processes Achievement Standard: o Students intentionally take advantage of the qualities and characteristics of art media, techniques, and processes to enhance communication of their experiences and ideas Content Standard #2: Using knowledge of structures and functions Achievement Standard: o Students select and use the qualities of structures and functions of art to improve communication of their ideas Content Standard #3: Choosing and evaluating a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas Achievement Standard: o Students integrate visual, spatial, and temporal concepts with content to communicate intended meaning in their artworks
Content Standard #4: Understanding the visual arts in relation to history and cultures Achievement Standard: o Students know and compare the characteristics of artworks in various eras and cultures o Students analyze, describe, and demonstrate how factors of time and place (such as climate, resources, ideas, and technology) influence visual characteristics that give meaning and value to a work of art Content Standard #5: Reflecting upon and assessing the characteristics and merits of their work and the work of others Achievement Standard: o Students compare multiple purposes for creating works of art Supporting Resources Visuals: Choose art from other times, cultures and styles to contrast. Shorewood reproductions are owned by many schools or can be ordered from Shorewood Fine Art Reproductions, Inc., Sandy Hook, Connecticut. Suggested Shorewood reproductions to show depth: De Vlaminick, Maurice (1876-1958), Thatched Cottages Evergood, Philip (1901-1973), Sunny Street Ghirlandaio Domenico (1449-1494), The Old Man and his Grandson Lawrence,Jacob (1917- ), Parade Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519),Mona Lisa O'Keeffe, Georgia, (1887-1986), Ranchos Church Seurat, Georges (1859-1891), Study for "La Grande Jatte" Shoson, Ohara (1877-1945), White Birds in Snow Stella, Joseph (1879-1946), Brooklyn Bridge Van Gogh, Vincent (1853-1890), Bedroom at Arles Vassarely, Victor (1908- ), Tridem K Vermeer, Johannes (1632-1675), Little Street Wyeth, Andrew (1917- ), Christina's World Suggested Shorewood reproductions to show contrasting portrayals of depth: Klee, Paul (1879-1940), Senecio: Head of a Man Miro, Joan (1883-1890), People and Dog in Sun Mondrian, Piet (1877-1944), Composition No. 2 Vassarely, Victor (1908- ), Zebegen
Another source for art images is ArtToday, a Web-based subscription image service at www.arttoday.com. Suggested images from ArtToday to show depth: Van Eyck, Jan, The Virgin and Child and Donor De Hooch, Interior of a Dutch House or Courtyard of a Dutch House Hopper, Lighthouse at Two Lights or House by the Railroad Leonardo da Vinci, The Last Supper Books: Eyewitness Art: Perspective, by Alison Cole, (Dorling Kindersley, 1992) This is an excellent, visual-filled introduction to perspective great for students and teachers. Available from http://www.amazon.com. Leonardo da Vinci (Masters of Art Series) by Francesca Romei, (Peter Bedrick Books, New York, 1994) The works of Leonardo da Vinci and lots of general information about the Renaissance. Packed with visuals and interesting blocks of text for upper elementary reading level. Available from http://www.amazon.com The Art of the Renaissance (Masters of Art Series) by Lucia Corrain, L. R. Galante (Illustrator), Simone Boni (Illustrator), (Peter Bedrick Books, New York, 1997) Fully illustrated, upper elementary reading level. Available from http://www.amazon.com Videos: Behind the Scenes: The Illusion of Depth (also listed as Behind the Scenes with David Hockney (1992)) Hosted by Penn and Teller, this video gives an entertaining and educational summary of depth techniques. Upper elementary and above. About 30 minutes. Available from http://www.amazon.com Masters of Illusion is an interesting introduction to perspective techniques of the Renaissance masters and how the same principles are used today in Hollywood's special effects. Using new technology, this video approaches old masters in an appealing way. 30 minutes Available from Crystal Productions: 1-800-255-8629 for a catalog or Available from http://www.amazon.com Web Sites: Museum of Science, Boston has an online exhibit about Leonardo da Vinci. Information and activities about linear perspective and aerial perspective can be found here! http://www.mos.org/leonardo/
Art Studio Chalkboard is a resource for artists and art students that focus on the technical fundamentals of perspective, shading, color and painting. http://www2.evansville.edu/ Download the student handout here.