Art and Design

Introduction

When Perspective Goes Wrong

Task

You will need a china marker and either an acrylic panel or a window. You will also need a tall stick to tie to a chair.

The word ‘perspective’ comes from the Latin to ‘see through’. This is because you imagine projecting through the drawing surface to the subject beyond.

  • Set up an acrylic sheet to look through or use a window to look outside.
  • If you are using an acrylic sheet, set up some books or other simple objects as your subject. If you are using a window, find a simple subject outside.
  • Make sure you can keep your head in exactly the same position while you draw, for example by fixing a stick to the back of a chair to mark where your chin should be.
  • Look through one eye and trace with the china marker what you can see.
  • When you have finished, notice how things appear in perspective.
  • Try another drawing from a new position closer to the surface.
  • Notice whether the drawing is bigger or smaller. Can you think why it is different?
  • When you have finished, wipe the china marker off with a damp cloth.