The most common forms of linear perspective include:
- 1 Point Perspective, which uses one vanishing point placed on the horizon.
- 2 Point Perspective, which uses two vanishing points placed on a horizon line.
- 3 Point Perspective, which uses two vanishing points placed on a horizon line, and another placed either above the scene or below it.
The Italian architect, Fillipo Brunelleschi is credited with “discovering” linear perspective early in the 15th century. It has been used by countless artists, architects, and designers throughout history.
Perspective, being a rigid and calculated approach to drawing, has the potential to produce drawings and paintings that may translate as “stiff” and “stale”. If the artist is not careful with its use, the work can look manufactured or synthetic.
But what if the painting itself seemed to move according to your viewing angle?
“Reverspective” by Patrick Hughes
Patrick Hughes, a London-based artist, has managed to make truly moving paintings using perspective. He is recognized as the creator of “Reverspective” – an approach to painting that creates an optical illusion. As the viewer approaches and views the painting, the imagery appears to move according to the viewing angle. As the name implies, it is accomplished using perspective, but in reverse.
Have a look at this video in which Mr. Hughes explains the paintings and be amazed at how your brain and eye reacts to them…
Here’s How it Works
The works are produced as relief paintings. The areas of the painting in which you would expect to recede towards the vanishing points, actually protrude instead. This is accomplished by creating a painting surface using raised surfaces that are cut and assembled at precise angles. Everything that is rendered in the painting is done so according to the rules of perspective. The result is a painting that appears to move according to the viewer’s angle.
If you are looking to try this out on your own – a resource and a warning for you.
UPDATE: The resource is no longer available, but the warning is important!
Now for the warning…Patrick Hughes is the creator of “Reverspective” and is protective over his creation. He seeks out artists that copy his methodology, and according to his website, sues them. He also posts a listing of the artists that use his idea, adding written insults about them on his site. You can read them here.
Additional Resources
You can check out more about Patrick Hughes at his website…http://patrickhughes.co.uk/
Mr. Hughes is also an author and has published several books. You can take a look at his books and purchase here.
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Lesson Discussion
Comments are closed.
Reverse perspective can be seen on a laser-cut portrait like at Madame Tussauds, here only one vantage point on backside of cube, so nothing new really apart that Mr. Hughes needs to recreate the reverse depth and adds 2-point perspective. No need for being overprotective.
Anthony Nicholls
Your illustration above showing three point perspective is in fact two point angular perspective with an introduced vertical convergence point. The introduced vertical convergece point is not a primary vanishing point but is simply a convergence point with limited perspective characteristics. For instance, it would be difficult a apply a measuring system to it. In other words what is shown is a truncated pyramid pointing downwards.
The technique for introducing a vertical convergence point into a two point angular projection was in order to reduce the optical illusion of splaying out, an illusion that occurs when projecting large vertical forms. Originally, in about the late 1960’s a scale line was used to construct a vertically converging grid of lines that was then overlayed over a standard two point angular projection. The grid was subject to only a very slight convergence. The vertical lines in the projection were then alligned by eye to the overlaying grid. At some stage a convergence point was introduced, however this, because of its proximity to the projection, subjects the projection to a greater degree of convergence. At best is a distortion that simulates three point projection but it is not true three point oblique projection.
Regards.
do you have a class on drawing a split gable roof on a house, I have a neighbor who home is a split gable roof and a closed in porch.