Chapter 57 Creating the Illusion of Depth

Note: this story originally was co-written with Anne Chase for the 2009 PNCBA newsletter.

The illusion of depth is not created by one single technique. If we consider how we experience depth in the real world, it will be easier to create depth when creating a single tree or a landscape planting.

Our perception of depth in the real world is taken for granted. Perspective is part of our everyday life. It is usually perceived through the use of clues such as the use of vanishing points, size, over-lapping objects, vertical location relative to horizon, color intensity, amount of detail. In a design, we have to simulate these clues to aid the viewer in perceiving depth. We want to perceive depth in art because it simulates how we experience the world. The illusion of depth adds interest for the viewer.

Let’s cover these clues separately, remembering that some, or all, of these are used together in a design to create depth.

57.1 Line

Line is the most basic way to make your eye move thru a design. Line can be considered in two ways. It can be the linear marks made with a pen or brush, or it can be the edge created when two shapes meet. In a single tree, the line is usually the trunk. In a landscape planting, it can be created by the use of a path or a shoreline. In both cases, it is how you as the designer make the viewer’s eye move through your design.

All lines have direction - horizontal, vertical or oblique. Horizontal suggests calmness, stability and tranquility. Vertical gives a feeling of balance, formality and alertness. Oblique suggests movement and action. These lines can be real (as in a path), or implied (as in multiple trees placed one behind the other).

A two-trunk bonsai showing how the line affects the illusion created. The vertical trunk is more formal and balanced, while the oblique trunk creates more of an illusion of movement. Link to original image.

57.2 Lines Create Perspective

We perceive distance largely through linear perspective, where all lines converge at a single point, usually on the horizon. Linear perspective in the real world makes things look smaller in the distance. Think of how a road gets narrower and narrower as it gets further away from you. This distant point is called the “vanishing point.” As we experience the world, every time we move our eyes, this vanishing point moves. In a composition or design, we usually use a single vanishing point because we are creating “a suggestion” of a tree or landscape, not the reality. Creating a path that narrows dramatically as it gets to the rear of the pot will help create linear perspective.

57.3 Size/Form

Size is simply the relationship of the area occupied by one shape to that of another. Three-dimensional shapes are often referred to as “forms,” although the terms are used inter-changeably.

Size is used primarily to create balance, gradation, and dominance. Large objects are generally balanced by small objects elsewhere. Large size is used to make things appear near or of greater importance, and small size is used to make things appear far away or less important. In a landscape, the larger, closer tree is dominant. And the more distant, smaller trees are less important. They should serve to balance the design, by being a counter-weight to the single dominant tree. Having the total mass of the smaller trees equal the mass of the dominant tree can accomplish this. This creates visual balance.

An example of how perspective can be created by placing the tallet tree in the front of a group. Link to original image

In a landscape planting, relative size of the trunks and foliage itself should be considered. It will be more effective to place plants with larger leaves in the front and those with smaller leaves in the back, especially if there is a large size difference. Rocks with greatly differing sizes can also be employed to draw the eye into your composition.

This group planting demonstrates how to create depth by planting trees with larger trunks towards the front, and smaller caliper trunks further back. Link to original image.

57.4 Overlapping Objects

Proportion refers to the relationship of size between objects. When creating a tree or a landscape planting, it is important to keep the dominant forms nearer the viewer and in front of smaller objects. Trees or branches which are placed behind (but not hidden by) the foliage of the dominant tree will appear further away from the viewer than those placed beside the dominant tree. In a landscape planting, the illusion of depth is created by placing smaller trees with smaller foliage pads to the rear and back edges of the composition.

This group planting demonstrates how to create depth by overlapping objects. In this example, some objects actually are behind the peak of the ground, which is an especially good way to create depth. Link to original image.

Curving a line or path, especially if it goes behind a tree or rock and then reappears much smaller, will also accentuate the feeling of a distant horizon. Instead of a path, you could create a curved cliff or shoreline that recedes into the distance.

A saikei coastal scene, viewed from above. The broad span of white gravel in the front shrinks to a narrow curved path between the rocks, creating depth. Link to original image.

57.5 Location Relative to Horizon

Sometimes placing an object higher up on the horizon makes it appear further away. By building a “hill” at the rear of a landscape we can trick the mind into perceiving distance, especially if very small trees are growing on the hill.

A black spruce forest saikei. Several smaller trees are planted on a small hill towards the back, behind the largest two trees planted slightly lower and more forward. Link to original image.

57.6 Color Intensity

Objects, which are closer to the viewer, have more intense color. As objects move away, the color becomes increasingly muted. If you can, choose plants that have dull, bluish colors for the rear of your design and plants with brighter, clearer colors for the front. Obviously, this will be more useful in a landscape planting.

A warm color can appear to come forward and cool color can appear to recede, all other things being equal. Warm colors are reds, oranges, and yellows. Cool colors are blues and greens.

A light tone (value) can appear to project and dark tone can appear to recede. For example, a plant with white flowers will appear closer than a plant with dark foliage. Therefore, placing the plant with white foliage to the front of your landscape will appear closer to the viewer.

57.7 Amount of Detail

As objects recede into the distance, the details become increasingly blurred. Creating more compact foliage pads and having less contrast between the plants or rocks in the rear of your design can simulate this.

57.8 Summary

For single trees, place larger foliage pads in front and have them overlap the edges of foliage in the rear.

In landscapes, besides just placing the larger trees in front, you can use plants with muted color, smaller leaves and tighter foliage pads in the rear. Placing the very smallest trees on a distant “hill” can also increase the illusion of depth. Placing a curved line in the form of a path, cliff, or shoreline that gets dramatically smaller at the rear is a great visual clue to create depth.