Illusion of Motion by Multiple Image (46)

This a project we did in my drawing class with gesso and charcoal on board. Because of the multiple images of the shoe in different angles and clarity, the shoe looks as if it is coming towards the viewer in a sweeping motion. If it were just one shoe, there would not be any evidence of any movement within the piece.

Illusion of Motion by Blurred Outline (45)

In this picture, there are children swinging but their features are blurred out by their movement. This creates the illusion of motion. When an artist blurs what are usually sharp features into one direction, the result is the subject looking as if it were moving.

Illusion of Motion by Repeated Figure (44)

Repeated figure: a compositional device in which a recognizable figure appears within the same composition in different positions and situations so as to relate a narrative to the viewer.

This is a golfer repeated in different positions but in the same spot. This creates the illusion of motion even though it is many different pictures but on top of each other.

Anticipated Motion (43)

The implication of movement on a static two-dimensional surface caused by the viewer's past experience with a similar situation is anticipated motion.


This cat is getting ready to pounce. It is known through experience that when they get into this kind of position, they will pounce soon. This is anticipated motion because the viewers are waiting for the cat to move.

Spatial Puzzles (42)

Equivocal space: an ambiguous space in which it is hard to distinguish the foreground from the background. Your perception seems to alternate from one to the other.
In order to use this technique, artists have developed transparency in which overlapping forms appear to be transparent.
For example: both these apples are clear and where they overlap, the colors darken.


In this contour drawing, everything is drawn through each other which creates confusion to the viewer as to what lies on top and what does not.

Multiple Perspective (41)

Looking at a figure or an object from more than one vantage point simultaneously is called multiple perspective.


In this painting, the features of the women are taken from different perspectives. This is why their eyes, noses, ears, etc. all look like odd and in the wrong place. This gives the viewer a conceptual view of forms.

Amplified Perspective (40)

Amplified perspective is a perspective in a special view that occurs when an item is pointed directly at the viewer.


The giraffes nose is pointed directly at the viewer creating an interesting composition. His nose is amplified by how close it is to the camera.