Explain how artists use monocular cues to depth perception described in the text to create an impression of three dimensions on two-dimensional paper.

Question

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Answer 1

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Artists make use of monocular cues such as relative size, texture gradient, and linear perspective to create an impression of three dimensions on two-dimensional paper.

Relative size: If two objects are of the same size, the one that produces a smaller image on the retina is more distant than the one that generates a larger retinal image. For example, an impression of depth may be created in an interior scene if a pair of two similar pieces of furniture is shown as one larger than the other; the larger one would be perceived as being in the foreground. In a landscape, one of two similar trees, barns, buildings, etc., might analogously be shown as larger than the other, creating an impression of foreground and distance.

Texture gradient: The details of more distant objects are usually less distinct than are the details of nearer objects. In an interior scene, the textures and patterns of fabrics and the details of décor may be shown more clearly to suggest the foreground, and in a blurred or less distinct fashion to indicate that the objects are in the background. Similarly, in a landscape, the colors, textures, and patterns of vegetation may be depicted clearly in the foreground, but less distinctly in the background.

Linear perspective: Parallel lines seem to converge in the distance. This cue applies well to the rectilinear elements of the environment, such as floor tiles, moldings, or wainscoting in an interior scene, or fencing, pathways, driveways, roads, or railway tracks in a landscape. Parallel lines, such as the ceiling moldings and baseboards along a wall or top and bottom fence rails, should converge to suggest distance.