The Secrets to Drawing: Space
Lesson Description
Lesson Six of The Secrets to Drawing Course focuses on the element of art: space. Space is what gives drawings depth, atmosphere, and a sense of presence. It is the element that allows a flat sheet of paper to suddenly feel expansive, real, and dimensional. In this lesson, students learn how to turn the two-dimensional drawing surface into a convincing illusion of three-dimensional reality using six foundational techniques. By understanding and applying these tools, any artist can dramatically elevate the realism and clarity of their work.
The lesson begins by examining why the illusion of space matters. Humans naturally interpret visual cues to understand distance, depth, and placement in the real world. When an artist learns to harness these cues intentionally, a drawing becomes far more compelling. Rather than appearing flat or symbolic, the subject begins to feel believable. This lesson breaks down this complex idea into six clear, approachable methods that students can observe in real life and apply directly to their drawings.
Strategies for Creating Space in Drawings
The first strategy explored is overlapping, one of the simplest yet most effective ways to communicate space. When one object is placed in front of another, the brain instantly perceives depth. Students study how even subtle overlaps can help organize a composition and establish relationships between forms. Through guided examples, they see how overlapping prevents drawings from appearing visually confusing or floating aimlessly across the paper.
Next, the lesson introduces size, another intuitive but powerful spatial cue. Objects that are closer to the viewer appear larger; those farther away appear smaller. Students learn how to compare proportional relationships and adjust the size of objects deliberately to create depth. This principle is applied to simple forms so learners can recognize how scale affects perception.
A third technique, placement on the paper, builds on these ideas. Items positioned lower on the picture plane tend to appear closer, while those placed higher read as receding into the distance. The lesson demonstrates how careful placement can strengthen the illusion of ground, distance, and environment. Students see how these first three techniques—overlapping, size, and placement—work together naturally and are used constantly by artists, often without conscious thought.
From there, the lesson shifts to a more subtle but essential concept: detail. Typically, objects in the foreground contain more visible texture, contrast, and sharpness. In contrast, those placed farther back appear softer, less distinct, and less defined. Students learn how to intentionally vary detail to suggest atmospheric perspective, a technique used by artists for centuries to enhance depth.
The fifth strategy is the use of value. Light and shadow play a major role in our depth perception. Strong contrasts often appear closer, while lighter, less intense contrasts recede. Students study how value shifts can describe spatial relationships and how gradually transitioning values can help create a sense of volume and distance. This skill directly connects to earlier lessons on value and form, reinforcing their importance while expanding their application.
Finally, the lesson covers perspective, the most structured and mathematical of the six methods. Students are introduced to the basics of linear perspective and shown how lines converge toward vanishing points to mimic the way the human eye perceives space. Even simple applications of perspective add tremendous realism. Examples demonstrate how perspective helps artists draw environments, objects, and scenes that feel grounded and proportionally correct.
Throughout the lesson, these six methods are demonstrated through clear visual examples and practical guidance. Students observe how each technique works independently and how they become even more powerful when used together. By the end, learners not only understand these concepts intellectually but also know how to apply them in their own drawings with purpose.
This lesson provides both the tools and the confidence needed to turn flat drawings into dynamic, spatially rich artworks. Whether a student is drawing landscapes, still life, figures, or imagined scenes, the ability to create believable space is essential—and this lesson lays that foundation with clarity, depth, and practical insight.
Lesson Materials
White drawing paper, a soft graphite pencil.
Lesson Resources
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Course Curriculum
Founder of The Virtual Instructor, artist and teacher. Matt makes learning art easy to understand and enjoyable.
I became a member last week and I am very impressed with the videos and instruction so far. These beginner videos explaining the “how” of drawing are exactly what I need to understand how an artist translates a 3 dimensional object onto 2 dimensional space. I’m looking forward to everything coming up!
I totally agree with you !
Does the membership allow for all the lessons and courses?
Sorry to ask a “techie” question but the videos are freezing on me quite frequently (sometimes every two seconds). The current one will not play. Can someone help me? Again, I apologize for the interruption. Great courses.
Hi Alfred,
The videos by default will play in high definition, which pulls a lot of bandwidth. If your connection is a little slow or unstable, you may click on the “HD” button on the player to turn off the high definition feature. Alternatively, you can download the video to watch without streaming.
Thanks. Was not aware of the HD issue.
this was a great one thanks for all these videos 🙂
im not having a good day in homeschool
I hope drawing helps 💖
Me too.
🙁
I really like the videos & they help me in drawing a lot.THANKS!!!!!!!!!
Thanks Shlomo!
I am a beginner beginner. I just started drawing in January. I have never drawn before except for how a child draws. The problem I am having is that I do not know where to start. Do I start in the middle of the page, top, bottom or side? Do I learn this when I learn perspective? I want to draw some Thomas Kincaid’s Snow white comes across the Seven Dwarves House, but I keep on running out of room on my paper. I have even went larger on than 8×14 and still have a problem. Please help me
Hi Elisa,
You can start anywhere you like on the paper. For drawing with perspective, you’ll want to define the horizon line first, but it can be anywhere on the paper or even off the paper entirely.
I can see how this can help me when I take pictures and edit them also
Thank you Matt, never thought there are so many ways of showing space in our art. Wanted to download the ebook, when I clicked on download ebook was wondering where does the ebook go and how do I find it? Was not given a choice on where to save it.
Thank you
Christine
Great lesson. Thank you.
This is amazing. Once my “Artistic Brain” understands these things, I look at the world around me differently! Every time I pass a forest, corn field, lake, or even just looking at things in my room, every one of these rules is applied! Art really makes us look at things around us in a more interesting way… and I love it!
Thanks Nick!
I’m new to this Site and have purchased only the Secrets to Drawing at this stage. The course looks well set out, easy to follow. I’ve read a couple of comments about not having any home work, I have to agree with this, it seems very easy to get through. Also noticed something huge for me that I really struggle with, shading! I don’t see any topic or advice on it with cross hatching etc. Can someone please correct me if I am wrong? Thanks
Hi Jason,
Shading, or adding value is covered in Modules 5 and 10 (also in many of the other modules). You may also check out this page for more on shading techniques in general…http://thevirtualinstructor.com/shading-techniques-basics.html
how can I download the videos
Hi Sumit,
Here are directions for downloading the videos…http://thevirtualinstructor.com/members/how-to-download-videos/
I am so glad I signed up for this! Just reviewing the Drawing Modules made everything start to click…
Hi Matt
is there a problem with this video file its so slow
Hi Hanlee,
The video appears to download at normal speeds. You may check your internet connection to be sure that your connection is stable.
Hi Matt,
I just signed up and am glad I did. What a great site and you are an excellent instructor!!! I really appreciate what you are doing!! Just great!! Thank you!!
Hi Matt !… I think I had quote withdrawal at the end of this video 😀
I’ve liked all the modules so far, and I’ve learned and improved so much already… thanks !!
Very useful and helpful – thank you!
This lesson hits the nail on the head.
Hi Matt, thank you million times for your tutorials ! They are really great, so precise and friendly. They contain exactly what you need and the explanations are very clear and precise (which is very important). I have never thought that I will enjoy drawing so much and I am very excited. I just wish I could progress faster. Thank you so much!
Thanks Natalia!
Those trees in the “Detail” box look pretty nice! 🙂
Is there any audio on these videos? BC I am not hearing anything even after downloading them.
Hello Matt! I am so pleased that I signed up with The Virtual Instructor It is exactly what I needed. This is my first week and you are really opening my eyes to the wonderful world of drawing!
Hi Matt,
I am confused about one thing. Do I have to follow along to just watch and exercises will come later?
I find it easier to do the exercises as I go along. If I have to pause for awhile, so be it….I am learning!
هذا الكورس بعتبر افضل كورس
Hi – In the 2 objects that you drew for “Size” – suppose the smaller of the 2 was the planet Mercury , the larger being Venus, and the point of view is the sun. In what ways would you convey that the smaller of the 2 objects is actually closer than the larger? Thank you, William