Examples of Space

This is an example of flat, or two dimensional space. The artist (unknown) used more of a "cutout" effect in this piece, giving it a very two dimensional feel. It is easy to imagine how one could take this picture and give it dimension and more space. The lack of shadow and perspective both lend themselves to this picture's two dimensionality.

This painting (artist unknown) is an example of flat space. The lack of shading and depth in the picture contribute to the two dimensional quality of the painting.

This drawing from the Hall of the Bulls in the French caves at Lascaux is an example of flat, or two dimensional space. In the earliest stages of art, there was no concept of how to create illusionistic space, so most drawings from this era are examples of flat space.

The above picture is an example of ambiguous space. The artist, Ralph Steadman, has a plethora of outstandingly cartoonish drawings, each displaying a strangely realistic quality. This cover for the Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas depicts two three dimensional characters in a rather two dimensional vehicle. The size changes in the cacti suggest depth, though the cacti themselves appear flat. The same could be said for the bats.

This example of illusionistic space comes from the amazing Salvador Dali. In spite of the flat canvas, the figure seems to be pushing his way out of the egg. This drawing certainly has an eerie, realistic quality to it.

This is an example of illusionistic space (although by no means professionally done) done by myself in acrylic paint on white paper.

This drawing comes from the master of ambiguous space, Pablo Picasso. The face and body of this (doll? girl?) are very disjointed, out of perspective, and confused looking. However, the shading of the girl's face and protrusion of her legs suggest a third dimension.

This drawing (artist: self) is my own example of two dimensional or flat space. Although the tree has a variety of colors, it still has no three dimensional aspects.

This is a rather poor example of illusionistic space, done by myself, in oil pastel on white paper. Unfortunately, it is rather out of perspective!

Above is an example of ambiguous space (artist unknown). The hands each appear to be drawing the other's sleeve and cuffs, and are very three dimensional. However, the sleeves and cuffs are two dimensional contour line drawings.

This drawing, by Glen Kingston, exemplifies illusionistic drawing. I am amazed by the depth Kingston is able to create, using only chalk as his medium. Though the Batman and Robin figures are not entirely realistic, I thought this was a phenomenal example of the creation of three dimensional space on a two dimensional plane.

This is my example of ambiguous space. Escher is well known as a manipulator of realistic space, bending the rules of physics in every drawing he creates. In this piece, Day and Night, the birds appear to be flat, two dimensional. However, the background is lengthened and given dimension by the changing size of the rivers, and the scattered detail as the picture extends back into space.