Aerial Perspective

When observing objects from different distances, we can see that their appearance changes. As objects move farther away from us, they appear less clear and distinct, and their colors can also look different than at close range.

The type of perspective that studies how the atmosphere affects our visual perception of distant objects is called aerial perspective. In short, aerial perspective describes how the atmosphere between the viewer and an object changes its appearance. It is a very effective way to create the illusion of depth and distance in a drawing.

The atmosphere is not perfectly transparent. As the distance between us and an object increases, light is scattered and absorbed by air, moisture, dust, and other particles in the atmosphere.

Because of this, distant objects generally lose contrast, their contours become less distinct, their colors shift toward the color of the atmosphere, and small details become harder to see. Similar effects are even more pronounced when looking through water.

The amount and character of scattered light are constantly changing, which means that we can see the same landscape differently depending on atmospheric and lighting conditions.

Light reflected from distant objects must pass through a greater thickness of atmosphere before reaching our eyes. As a result, the difference between illuminated and shadowed areas becomes less noticeable at great distances. Distant objects therefore tend to appear paler, flatter, and more generalized.

In the example drawn by the artists of Drawingforall.net, you can clearly see how objects gradually merge with the surrounding atmosphere as they move farther away.

Light objects may appear slightly darker and dark objects lighter as both approach the general atmospheric tone. Their tonal contrast also becomes weaker, making their forms appear flatter and less distinct than those in the foreground.

It should be noted that the tone and color of the atmosphere are not constant and can change depending on many factors. Weather, time of day, lighting conditions, humidity, smoke, and dust can strongly affect the appearance of distant objects.

For example, you may notice that during sunset the surrounding landscape takes on warmer orange tones, while under other conditions the same landscape may appear cooler and bluer. These effects become especially noticeable in haze and fog.

Artists also often use the visual tendency of warm colors to appear more prominent and cool colors to recede. This principle can frequently be seen in paintings, illustrations, and cinematography.

Because the atmosphere reduces contrast and clarity with distance, distant objects usually lose some definition in their contours and details. To convey this effect in a drawing, you can soften distant edges and make them less contrasted than those in the foreground.

But there is one important point. The physical effects of aerial perspective become most noticeable over considerable distances. The difference between objects located only a few meters away is usually much smaller than the difference between nearby objects and those several kilometers away. Landscapes therefore provide the clearest examples of aerial perspective.

Does this mean that aerial perspective is useful only when creating landscapes?

Not entirely. The physical effect itself is strongest over long distances, but artists can use similar differences in contrast, edge sharpness, and detail to strengthen the sense of depth in many types of drawings. In this way, some of the visual principles associated with aerial perspective can also be applied compositionally to smaller spaces.

For example, in a still life, objects farther from the main focus can be drawn with slightly softer edges and fewer small details than objects in the foreground. In a portrait, the eyes may be rendered more clearly and in greater detail than the hair or ears. This is not necessarily caused by atmospheric perspective at such short distances, but it uses a similar visual hierarchy to guide the viewer’s attention and reinforce depth.

These principles are useful because if every part of a drawing has exactly the same contrast, sharpness, and level of detail, the image can appear flatter. Varying these qualities helps establish depth and directs attention toward the most important parts of the composition.

Aerial perspective and linear perspective are both important tools for creating a convincing sense of space. Linear perspective describes how the apparent size and position of forms change with distance, while aerial perspective describes how their contrast, color, and clarity change through the atmosphere.

At the end of the article, we would like to encourage you to practice these principles as often as possible. Try observing landscapes under different weather and lighting conditions, paying attention to how distant objects change in contrast, color, and clarity.

Remember the principles described in this article and try creating a sketch in which foreground, middle-ground, and distant objects are treated differently. This will help you consolidate the knowledge and learn how to apply aerial perspective in practice.

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