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5.1: Atmospheric Perspective

  • Page ID
    341402
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    Atmospheric Perspective

    The technique known as atmospheric perspective, or aerial perspective, is utilized by artists to create the illusion of depth and distance in their work. This method involves mimicking how changes in the atmosphere affect the appearance of objects, leading to alterations in color, value, and detail as they recede into the distance. Understanding and implementing atmospheric perspective allows artists to manipulate visual elements to convey a sense of space and dimension in their compositions. For example, distant mountains appearing lighter and bluer than nearby objects due to the scattering of light by air particles is a typical application of this technique. Atmospheric perspective extends beyond linear perspective by integrating the subtleties of light and color changes over distance, making it an essential tool for artists aiming to capture the realism of the natural world.

    image of a rocky mountains

    "The Rocky Mountains Landers Peak" by Albert Bierstadt is inthe Public Domain via WikiArt.org.


    5.1: Atmospheric Perspective is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Kristen Kennedy.