Adding people in perspectives is key to telling a story. My last, and final, perspective tip was going to focus on using "signature" pinheads in your drawing because they are more proportioned. They may look a tad better than the big-heads, but the pinheads (or headless people) in the President's room below are not actually my "tip" that makes the perspective work. What makes this perspective work is its composition–the arrangement of elements in the perspective. A combination of many factors make a "good" composition, and I have simplified it to five key principles:
Factor 1: The 1/3 Rule
Placing the important elements (the glass the man is raising in the sketch above) in 1/3 of your view was first written down by John Thomas Smith in 1797 in his book "Remarks on Rural Scenery".
"Rule of thirds (if I may be allowed so to call it)...in a design of landscape, to determine tile sky at about two-thirds; or else at about one-third, so that the material objects might occupy the other two: Again, two thirds of one element, (as of water) to one third of another element (as of land); and then both together to make but one third of the picture, of which the two other thirds should go for the sky and aerial perspectives."
Factor 2: Framing and Anchoring
There are different ways to frame a perspective that draws the viewer to the focal point. Creating an edge either with lines or a border, or using foreground elements, direct the viewer's eye into the perspective.
Factor 3: Foreground and Background
Placing elements in front and behind can create depth and more dimension, and by working together they achieve balance. Adding texture, patterns, and dark and light accents can also add to the composition.
Factor 4: An Interesting Point of View
An unpredictable view can capture the audience's attention and tell a story in a different way.
Factor 5: The Leading Line
A line can lead the viewer on a journey through the scene into the perspective and story.
Way back in my first post (Perspective Tips 1 & 2), I shared with you that I love advocating for and sharing the "lost" architectural skill of sketching. I hope my Blog Series has inspired you to discover the "magic" you can do with just a pencil and paper.
Factor 1: The 1/3 Rule
Placing the important elements (the glass the man is raising in the sketch above) in 1/3 of your view was first written down by John Thomas Smith in 1797 in his book "Remarks on Rural Scenery".
"Rule of thirds (if I may be allowed so to call it)...in a design of landscape, to determine tile sky at about two-thirds; or else at about one-third, so that the material objects might occupy the other two: Again, two thirds of one element, (as of water) to one third of another element (as of land); and then both together to make but one third of the picture, of which the two other thirds should go for the sky and aerial perspectives."
Factor 2: Framing and Anchoring
There are different ways to frame a perspective that draws the viewer to the focal point. Creating an edge either with lines or a border, or using foreground elements, direct the viewer's eye into the perspective.
Factor 3: Foreground and Background
Placing elements in front and behind can create depth and more dimension, and by working together they achieve balance. Adding texture, patterns, and dark and light accents can also add to the composition.
Factor 4: An Interesting Point of View
An unpredictable view can capture the audience's attention and tell a story in a different way.
Factor 5: The Leading Line
A line can lead the viewer on a journey through the scene into the perspective and story.
Way back in my first post (Perspective Tips 1 & 2), I shared with you that I love advocating for and sharing the "lost" architectural skill of sketching. I hope my Blog Series has inspired you to discover the "magic" you can do with just a pencil and paper.
