One thing than can plague an artist is perspective. Getting the perspective right in a piece of artwork can be a challenge. Along with everything else the artist must think of and master perspective is one of the most difficult if you have a complex composition. I guess this is all a matter of perspective.

What is perspective anyway? Well, it obviously has more than one definition, depending on your perspective. I know … bad joke!

We can take a look at perspective we all use in our drawings, photographs, etc. It’s the point in a composition that expresses height, width, and depth, and the relationship of objects in a picture plane, front to back, top to bottom. It is always interesting teaching a classroom full of kids about perspective on a two-dimensional surface. Getting them to use a ruler is a grand undertaking all by itself. They can still make wiggly lines even with a ruler. But when first studying formal perspective a ruler is a must.

Then there is the second kind of perspective, how people view things. Not just art, but opinions. For instance, what is your perspective on this new proposal? You can also have people looking at art and perspective and give their perspective on the perspective. Confused? I’m not surprised. Opinions, everyone has them. So, if you don’t want it, don’t ask.

Sculptors have perspective issues as well. If the artist is sculpting a man sitting down with his shoulders slightly twisted as he looks behind himself, there is a whole barrage of perspective things to think about there. A sculptor really has a lot to deal with considering they are working in three dimensions and form.

If you have not had any training in perspective, it might behoove you to check out my video clip on the subject. You might be surprised what it will do for your work, especially if you are dealing with buildings and/or landscapes. If you have ever seen a work that just doesn’t look right for some reason, chances are it is the perspective that is off.

I guess this is all relative. So if you ask someone their perspective about art or business, be prepared, they will give it to you!