The Element of Space

Applied one or more of these indicators of depicting space on a flat surface 4 Exemplary 3 Proficient 2 Average 1 Emerging

Atmospheric Perspective - Close features and objects have greater intensity of color, detail and value contrast. Receding features and objects appear to lose color, or saturation, are lighter and less detailed. Overlapping - when objects partially overlap other objects, we perceive them as closer than the covered objects. Overlapping "overrules" the other indicators of depth. Overlapping most clearly establishes proximity.

Diminishing scale - the largest object appears closest and the smallest appears further away.

Vertical placement - we perceive objects that are placed lower in the image as closer to us, and objects that are placed higher as being further away. Color - we perceive warm colors (red, orange and yellow) as closer than cool colors (green, blue, violet). Diagonals and Linear perspective - we perceive diagonal lines as receding into the distance. Imagine a road or railroad tracks.