Spatial Depth: Foreground, Middleground and Background

Introducing a foreground layer, a middleground layer and a background layer can give your view greater spatial depth.

A video on this site illustrates a means of analyzing these layers from the standpoint of filmmaking: Film Studies: Foreground, Middleground, Background

Exercise 1

Using the images below, draw the contour of the elements in the foreground. Draw the contour of the elements in the middleground. Draw the contour of the elements in the background. Fill the foreground color with black or dark gray tone. Fill the middleground with a medium gray tone. Fill the background with a light gray tone. Use intermediate tones of gray if there are more spatial layers present.

Image 1: Paris Steet, Rainy Day, 1877 by Gustav Caillebotte _ Image 2: Scene from For a Few Dollars More by director Sergio Leone _ Image 3: from http://maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com _ Image 4: CC Great_Wall_of_China,_Framed_view.jpg _ Image 5:  CC Nandi Mandapam from Big Temple.jpg _ Image 6: CC Room with a View 1962 by Robert Huffstutter _ Image 7: High Museum of Art, Atlanta by cm _ Image 8: Cedar Rapids Public Library by cm _ Image 9: The grounds of John Deere by cm _ 

Exercise 2

Find a place to sketch where you view includes a foreground, middleground and background. 

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