A lot of folks are working from photos these days, but too often we just start painting without examining why we are seeing what we are seeing.
That photo was taken by somebody who was aiming the camera in a particular direction. Was that person standing, sitting, on a ladder? Is the camera aiming straight ahead, down or up? Two of the first things it is important to notice.
Can you sense the elevation of the photographer for the two photos above? Can you see that the camera elevation is slightly above the horse on the left, and
below the one on the right? At that elevation, looking straight ahead, neither up or down, is our sight line. Historically it is called the horizon line.
Off subject a bit, but for clarification: the label horizon line and the horizon (where we see earth meeting sky) cause confusion. Occasionally, they are located in the same place, but more often they will be in different locations.
OUR SIGHT LINE (or the traditional HORIZON LINE)
The height of our eyes (our elevation) when we are looking straight ahead determines our sight line which is also the
traditional horizon line. In that position, if we look down, (below the sight line) or up (above it) the sight line (horizon line) will not change. Only when we lower or raise our elevation -- sit down, lie down, climb a tree or go up in a balloon--you get the point-- does the sight line (horizon line) change.
- Place a square box on a surface. Locate your elevation so that you can see all of one side, about half of another side and none of the top or bottom.
- Do a quick line drawing of the edges you see.
- Next, change your elevation upward so that you can see the top and two sides of the box.
- Do a quick line drawing of the edges you see.
Do you notice how the lines' angles change between the two views ? That's because your sight line changed? Now, do you see how
important it is that we are aware of the where your eyes are looking whether working from photos or in real life? Your elevation, and whether you're looking straight ahead, up or down from that elevation is your viewpoint.
Here's a Thanksgiving gift for you from Eric Rhodes via me. It is a thorough explanation of brushes, paints and methods used by Rembrandt in the 17th Century.
Enjoy!
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