Aerial perspective

2/14/17

1. Aerial Perspective Photography versus P lein air

2. Value and Color Transitions   Aerial or Atmospheric Perspective is the illusion on canvas of space receding through color hues and values. The color of the sky should convey the idea of indefinite distance.

3. Distance As a landscape recedes from the foreground, it is the yellows that fade out first. This includes yellow itself and all the mixtures that contain yellow, especially in the green tones. Notice how the greens are much bluer in the distance. After the yellows disappear, the reds also become faint. In the distance, even the purples in the hills will give way to an almost pure blue , similar to the one in the sky.

4. Mists The atmosphere contains “mists” made up of moisture or dust. Sometimes these mists are heavy and pronounced, while at other times they are thin, but a landscape is always misty to some extent. Objects in the foreground will be sharp and clear, while objects in the distance will become less sharp. It is a strange fact that when white recedes into the distance, it becomes both warmer and slightly darker. It is easiest to observe on a partly cloudy day. Notice how clouds overhead are bright white, but then as they move back into the distance, see how they take on a less bright, orange-colored cast. The undersides of clouds, however, become lighter and cooler in the distance.

5. On a cloudy day you can see a different set of variables in a scheme. Fir st of all the mass of the sky as a unit or whole will be lighter than it will be on a sunny day. This is because of the moisture high above the surface capturing the light so that less of it falls upon the ground. This will result in a darkening of earth values.

6. The Sky Go outside. Look overhead to the “top” or zenith of the sky, it will be a true violet- blue. Then , as you lower your eyes further, the color becomes blue- green. Next it takes on a yellowish-green cast , Then it takes on a rosy hue near the horizon. In the rosy gray haze, it also becomes slightly darker.

7. The Ground   The flat ground contains “color colonies.” As the ground recedes, it is influenced more and more by the sky and, as such, in general, it is becomes lighter and bluer. Intensity of color diminishes, as does value, as objects recede in to the distance. A yellow sign or building will look less and less “saturated” as it recedes in to the background. On a day when the sun is clear and there is little moisture in the air, it will be harder to observe this atmospheric transition. It is easier to see it on a gray, humid day. In this painting, one can see the value and color transitions found at ground level.

8. The Eye Versus The Camera   The human eye can see 7,000,000 colors. A camera can register a little over 1,000 colors. Photos are helpful but you should not rely on them for detailed color advice. Note: The information presented here was taken from my notes while attending a graduate level Cityscape Painting Class at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco; Fall 2015 with Dean M. Larson.  

9. Paintings By William Chase Heidi Smith Ken Bushe