Pictorial depth cues

Pictorial depth cues

Artists use them to create depth and distance on two dimensional surfaces sich as paper and canvas.

Pictorial cues include:

• Linear perspective 

• Interposition

• Texture gradient

• Relative size

• Height in the visual field

Interposition

Involved objects that appear to be coming inbetween the viewer and another object.

Linear perspective

A depth cue that utilises the face that lines converge in the distance. Parallel lines will get “closer together” or narrower as they appear farther from the viewer.

Relative size

Objects appear larger than objects further away. Therefore if two objects are expected to be the same size, then the larger object will appear closer.

Texture gradients

Details are too small to see when they are far away. Therefore, areas closer to the viewer will look coarser, and areas farther away with have a finer texture.

Height in the visual field

In a picture, objects that are further from the view appear higher in the visual field, Likewise, lower objects suggest that they are closer to the viewer.