Composition in Perspectives

Elodie Fourquet
Computational Aesthetics 2008
Motivation
Goal: composition in a realistic image.

Imaging versus modelling software.

Renaissance art practices.

1935 Ford Woody by Jim Hatch Illustration. An engraving of D urer.
www.khulsey.com
Composition in Modelling Software
Graphics Course T-shirt image done with Houdini.
Modelling software interface.
Perspective in Imaging Software
Kevin Husley Illustration Inc.: Empress of the Seas Cruise Ship Cutaway
(Software: Adobe Creative Suite, Illustration Time: 960 hours).
Example of Artist Composition
Scott More, illustrator, Coee Stop. Painting Step-by-step.
http://www.scottmooreart.com/
Traditional Composition
Traditional artists prefer imaging over modelling software.

Composition is hard and indirect in modelling software.

Artists are working in image plane & depth simultaneously.

But, depth tools are absent in imaging software.

Importance of construction lines.

Kevin Husley Illustration Inc.
Metro Rail Project
Traditional Composition
Traditional artists prefer imaging over modelling software.

Composition is hard and indirect in modelling software.

Artists are working in image plane & depth simultaneously.

But, depth tools are absent in imaging software.

Importance of construction lines.

Kevin Husley Illustration Inc.
Metro Rail Project
Renaissance Art

Renaissance artists mastered perspective.

Renaissance artists composed in the image plane.

Elkins: from an unitary perspective to a pluralist approach.

Kubovy: non-rectangular bodies with central projection.
Kemp: more than ten constructions for perspective.
An engraving of D urer.
Renaissance Art

Renaissance artists mastered perspective.

Renaissance artists composed in the image plane.

Elkins: from an unitary perspective to a pluralist approach.

Kubovy: non-rectangular bodies with central projection.
Kemp: more than ten constructions for perspective.
An engraving of D urer.
Renaissance Art

Renaissance artists mastered perspective.

Renaissance artists composed in the image plane.

Elkins: from an unitary perspective to a pluralist approach.

Kubovy: non-rectangular bodies with central projection.
Kemp: more than ten constructions for perspective.
An engraving of D urer.
Figure from Perspective Artistique, by Pierre Olmer 1948.
Renaissance: Image Composition
The Baptism of Christ of Francesca, c. 1460. Composition according to Lavin.
Renaissance: Collage with Realistic Depth
The School of Athens of Raphael, c. 1510
Renaissance: Collage with Realistic Depth
The School of Athens of Raphael, c. 1510
Renaissance: Collage with Realistic Depth
The School of Athens of Raphael, c. 1510
Renaissance: Collage with Realistic Depth
The School of Athens of Raphael, c. 1510
Renaissance: Perspective and Composition
Piero della Francesca, Flagellation of Christ, after 1444.
Composition Framework
Method to combine composition and perspective.

Set a basic geometric pattern on the image plane.

Build a tiled oor within the image plane pattern,

which xes depth & view parameters.

Fill in with volumes and panels.

Composition Framework
Method to combine composition and perspective.

Set a basic geometric pattern on the image plane.

Build a tiled oor within the image plane pattern,

which xes depth & view parameters.

Fill in with volumes and panels.

Richard Talbots images from Speculations on the Origins of Linear Perspective, 2003.
Composition Framework
Method to combine composition and perspective.

Set a basic geometric pattern on the image plane.

Build a tiled oor within the image plane pattern,

which xes depth & view parameters.

Fill in with volumes and panels.

Richard Talbots images from Speculations on the Origins of Linear Perspective, 2003.
Compositional Grid: Square Subdivision
Definitions: VP, Horizon and Baseline
m.o m.o
B
H
VP
m.o m.o
H
B
VP
Floor: Transversal From Distance Point
DP
A
DP
B
DP
C
f.t
0
f.t
5
f.o
0
f.o
1
f.o
2
f.o
6
. . . .
f.p
0
f.p
1
f.p
5

.


.
Floor: Different Views

Distance Point selection.

Image Edge selection.

DP on frame DP outside the frame DP close to VP
Walls: Setting Up

The inscribed square is used for intermediate back wall.

Lines from VP to intermediate wall corners are used.

The room volume is completed from oor denition.

Walls: Different Views

Distance Point location aects the volume shape.

Cube looking volume. In-between volume Tunnel looking volume.
Blocks

A block is a tile elevation.

Fixed height across each oor horizontal.

Recursive construction.

For correct occlusion, ordering is needed.

Demo
Results
Results
Results
Masaccio, The Holy Trinity, c. 1428.
Results
Based on Jan van Eyck, Madonna and child, c. 1437.
Results
Contribution: Framework

Framework inspired by artistic practice of Renaissance.

Composition in an image presenting depth is possible.

Depth is not strictly dened,

an image corresponds to multiple projections.

Depth eect is produced by key relations.

Floor works as an artistic composition device.

3D-like manipulation within compositional framework,

by changing distance point and oor divisions.
Paintings of Sandro Botticelli c.1480.
Future Work

Increase exibility: changing VP, horizon line position...

Additional 3D-like manipulation and content:

Rotation of blocks & of panels into depth.

Tools for relative scale.

Future Work

Increase exibility: changing VP, horizon line position...

Additional 3D-like manipulation and content:

Rotation of blocks & of panels into depth.

Tools for relative scale.

Stimuli from panel rotation experiment.
Paolo Ucello, Hunt by Night, c.1460.
Thanks