Aerial perspective, also known as atmospheric perspective, is a technique used in painting and drawing to create an illusion of depth on a flat surface. It describes how the appearance of objects changes with distance due to the effects of the atmosphere.
The Effect of Distance on Value Contrast
Regarding the value contrast between objects, aerial perspective tells us that as objects recede into the distance, the visual difference between their values (lightness or darkness) and the value of the background decreases.
Based on the provided reference: According to aerial perspective, the further away an object gets, the less contrast between its value and the value of the background. This means that more distant objects will be closer in value to the background.
How Distance Impacts Contrast
As light travels through the atmosphere, it encounters particles like dust, moisture, and pollution. These particles scatter light, particularly blue light, which affects how we perceive colors and values over distance. This atmospheric haze has several effects on objects:
- Values become compressed: The darkest darks appear lighter, and the lightest lights appear darker, effectively bringing their values closer together.
- Values shift towards the background value: Objects tend to take on the overall value of the atmosphere or sky behind them, which is often lighter.
This means that a black object and a white object of the same size, if placed side-by-side close to the viewer, would show a high value contrast. However, if placed far in the distance, the atmospheric effects would make the black object appear lighter and the white object appear darker, reducing the visual difference between them and making both closer to the background value.
Visual Characteristics of Distant Objects
Artists use these observed effects to create a sense of deep space. When applying aerial perspective, they might:
- Use lighter values for objects intended to appear far away.
- Reduce the range of values (contrast) within a single distant object.
- Make distant objects' values blend more with the background color and value (often appearing more muted or bluish).
Here's a simple illustration of the concept regarding value:
| Object Distance | Apparent Darkest Value | Apparent Lightest Value | Value Contrast (Difference) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Close | Dark (e.g., Black) | Light (e.g., White) | High |
| Far | Lighter Dark (e.g., Grey) | Darker Light (e.g., Light Grey) | Low |
By observing and replicating these changes in value contrast and color, artists can effectively trick the eye into perceiving distance on a two-dimensional surface.
