Deep Space

Europeans like Monet borrowed ideas  from 19th century Japanese printmakers like Hokusai and Hiroshige to create designs of great spacial depth.  These Japanese artists took linear perspective with its vanishing points and eye level(sight line)paradigm from Europeans.  Here are diagrams and examples showing how space can be divided to suggest greater depth with a higher horizon, then how  to design greater depth  with both  motion and volumetric variety.

example 1.

In my first panel of 4 squares observe that 1st panel is divided equally.  We have a natural predilection for such order as given by symmetry. Unfortunately, this symmetrical solution divides the picture into equal parts and they separate. They now have poor unity or cohesion.  Such symmetry also provides a feeling of stasis, no motion.  If you wish your image to be fixed and unmoving as in a symbol or flag then this design works but, it frustrates ambiguity, motion and unity which are basic ingredients for a successful painting. In the 2nd  panel the units are again equally divided and again, we have another flat pattern or flag design. But, in the 3rd panel  the dividing lines are packed progressively closer together at the top of the square. This presentation suggests a feeling of space to us. And, this was a design developed by the Japanese and borrowed by Monet and other Impressionists.  They also borrowed tipping  or canting that set of lines and curving them  as you can see in the 4th panel.  If  lines are curved and discontinuous ( or broken) then we perceive space, motion and volume  in the design.

example 2.

In this 2nd example, notice that the sight-line/horizon is tipped.  It is also broken as is the triangular shape aiming to intersect with that sight-line. Also broken(or intermittent) is the curved line above the sight line.  The cumulative effect creates a design with added motion and space.  We can’t help but connect the broken line in our minds and create a feeling a continuity to the line. We fill it in. It’s what we always do. Here are examples with superimposed diagrams of  broken triangles suggesting deep space when they are coupled to an elevated horizon, especially  to an elevated and dissolving horizon. See which examples offer more motion at the expense of stability, a quality I am happy to lose in my effort to build deep dynamic  space.

examples 3 and 4.  

Here the high horizon with a receding triangle design is capped by a vague horizontal shape, the city skyline.

examples 4 and 5.  

Here the image relies upon complementary color contrast as well as the triangular design which evolves into a more slowly receding zigzag pattern.

example 5 and 6.   

Here the triangle tips left and evolves into a zigzag.  And, In the last example the primary triangular pattern is not only tipped with the entire horizon but, it is also counter-crossed by other diagonals which helps to flatten the plane.

examples 6 and 7.