LINEAR PERSPECTIVE
Linear perspective is valid only for monocular
vision. Aperspective drawing assumes that the
observer sees through a single eye. We almost
never view anything inthis way. Even with the head
in a fixed position, we see through both eyes, which
are constantly in motion, roving over and around
objects and through ever-changing environments.
T linear perspective can only approximate th
hus,
f
complex way the eyes actually function.
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Still, linear perspective provides us with a method
for correctly placing three-dimensional objects in
pictorial space and illustrating the degree to which
their forms appear to diminish in size as they
recede into thedepth of a drawing. The uniqueness
of alinear perspective lies in its ability to provide
us with an experiential view of space. This distinct
advantage, however, also gives rise to the difficulty
often connected with perspective drawing. The
challenge in mastering linear perspective is
resolving the conflict between our knowledge of
the t hing itself- how we conceive its objective
reality-and the appearance of somethinghow we perceive its optical reality-as seen
through asingle eye of the observer.