Gaining perspective

Artist Carrie Vielle will help locals learn how to make two-dimensional surfaces appear three-dimensional in her "Learning to draw realistic perspective" workshop at Artisans at the Dahmen Barn.

The five-hour class on Aug. 10 will focus on one-point and two-point perspective with an emphasis on architecture and buildings.

"The most important key element in a perspective drawing is drawing from a single viewpoint," Vielle said. "Perspective drawing is the best approximation on paper of how you truly see. In order to get that single view, you can't be moving your head around, because the illusion of true depth is lost."

Vielle said this can be accomplished by practicing "staying put."

"When we draw from life, we want to be able to see everything, but in a true single position, often times, part of our subject is hidden," she said.

While the Eastern Washington University graduate is a mixed-media artist, Vielle has been practicing perspective drawing for more than 25 years.

"I do mostly figural work," Vielle said. "However, when I travel, I do a tremendous amount of perspective sketching."

Vielle said perspective is crucial to the success of artists who want realistic images, but abstract modernists don't need to worry about depth as much.

"The understanding of perspective can be applied to drawing, painting, to collage work, to fiber arts and to sculpture to a certain extent," she said.

Vielle will provide take-home handouts at the workshop, which are covered in the $75 class fee. Enrolled artists should bring a sketchbook larger than 8.5-by-11 inches, a 2B pencil, eraser, a 12-inch ruler and snacks for a lunch break. People ages 16 and older can register.

"I like offering this course because perspective is such a key element in so many art types," Vielle said.

Treffry can be contacted at (208) 883-4640 or ltreffry@inland360.com. Follow her on Twitter at: @LindseyTreffry.