Perspective Terms

Perspective:  the representation of three dimensional objects that are on a flat two dimensional surface

Atmospheric perspective:  a way of showing depth and distance in a painting by using fading colors and hazy details in distant objects

Background:  the part of an art work that is in the distance and appears behind the objects that are in the foreground

Foreground:  the part of the art work that appears to be in front nearest to the viewer

Horizon:  the level line where water or land seem to end and the sky begins

Landscape:  a picture of natural outdoor scenery such as

mountains, rivers and fields

Linear Perspective:  showing depth and distance in a picture

with converging lines

Overlapping:  one shape or part of a shape covering up one part of another shape

Vanishing Point:  an imaginary point in which parallel lines

seemingly converge on a horizon line and represent the level

of the viewer’s eyes

Converge:  to come together at a single point.  Parallel horizontal lines appear to converge in a painting

Distance:  the 3-d, front to back or near to far objects shown in a 2-d painting by using techniques of perspective

Viewpoint:  the position or place from which an artist views the subject to be represented