You made some pretty cool scenes in a variety of styles yesterday! I dig your beautiful minds. By the way, if you’ve just joined us, you can start any time. Visit Instagram and search the hashtags #mymatsprep and #matskidbook to see the vast array of terrific art being created this week for the MATS Prep.
Today, I’m going to teach you three giant tricks to create depth (distance) in your artwork.
– If you draw something at the top of your page, it looks like it’s far away. For example, if you draw a little house toward the top of your page, it looks like it’s in the distance. That’s because our understanding of distance in art is that the higher up the page, the farther away. And then, by making stuff smaller, it enhances the illusion of distance.
The reverse is true: things at the bottom of the page look close to the viewer.
You can enhance this by altering the scale (size) of whatever it is you’re drawing.
– Second, things in the distance are affected by what’s called atmospheric perspective. That means that things far away are more muted (slightly greyed-out). This is because there are particles in the air (and maybe even fog), plus human vision is less acute further away, so it’s going to be softer.
-Third, if you draw something that starts at the bottom of your page, and travels up the page, we ‘read’ it to be moving to the far distance. For example a road, river or a fence will progressively get smaller as it goes up the page. Try it!
Things get smaller and duller as you go up the page, creating distance.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Andrews, Thomas Gainsborough, c. 1748–1750.
These are three powerful techniques you can use to create a sense of depth in your work.
Why is depth worth creating? Well, I want you to have as many tools in your toolbox as possible, so should you want to create distance, you know how. For example, let’s say your character is traveling from a lake to a city. You want the reader to enjoy the travel experience. For example, if you were to draw the lake on one page and the city on another, you miss the opportunity to illustrate the adventure.
So take some elements of your work from yesterday (or if you’re just joining us, read up on the previous assignments and jump in now).
Here’s an example of how you travel into the distance as you move up the page.
David Hockney, Nicholas Canyon, 1980
Here, Jon Klassen distorts but the sense of distance is created. The steamship is far away.
PS. If you are enjoying this content, then you will love the Make Art That Sells courses, and in particular, our newest course Illustrating Children’s Books. Every day for five weeks, you’ll get a ton of awesomeness to help you grow your art. Why don’t you sign up now, (but be quick as it is nearly full). I am eager to help you kick butt as an illustrator and get some fantastic commissions. MATS works!
And don’t forget to search the hashtags #mymatsprep and #matskidbook on Instagram to see what everyone has been up to!
Are you ready to dive in and make a commitment to your success as a Children’s Book Illustrator?
Sign up HERE. Hurry! The last remaining spots are going fast!
Lilla’s Tip of the Day: What’s the deal with art trends? Who cares? You are your own unique mix. Make your own trends. Lead the way. I have never met two people that are the same. Every person I get to know is an amazing and unique constellation of qualities and personal history. And so are you. Be yourself and you will create your own ‘trends’. Better to be yourself and see where that takes you.
xo
Lilla
