Before CGI rendering and way before 3D glasses there was the art of Trompe-l’œil, deceive the eye. Artist long ago realised that by using extremely realistic artwork with just the right angles perspectival illusionism – anamorphic or forced perspective – could be generated. Fooling the mind of the observer into believing that what is represented in front of them is 3D, while it is in fact simply a 2 dimension painting or drawing.
The art of perspective has been put to great use by the amazing chalk artist, Julian Beever. Master of the illusion Beever uses our minds against us. Beever, an English born artist has become well known for his immense chalk works of art, produced on the pavement he often has pedestrians wandering by as he executes his art form.
The 3D effect generated by his art-works is designed to use our minds perceptions of depth and angles. No glasses are required. Often standing on just the right angle to the picture is required to get the full effect, especially with complex art works but once you find just the right spot the effect jumps out at you like a highly sprung jack in the box.
Concrete Canvas with Julian Beever: Philadelphia
Producing works of immense size and complexity, days of fastidious work required to complete Beever must be committed when he starts. Watching him create the his work he lives up to his name, beavering away for days to complete the work.
While his ideas for each project are sketched out before starting he takes great pride in adjusting and changing the design as he works through the project. Periodically he checks the perspective effect with a camera fixed in place.
Many of his artworks are designed to include a person or object of interest, merging the real with the illusion, giving that little extra punch. Having a real person in the photo with the artwork helps drag the observer in that little bit more.
There is far more to Julian Beever than just his pavement canvas. His has also produced amazing murals and fine art working in oil and acrylic. All of his works show incredibly realistic detail and a vibrant use of colour.
Having produced works all around the world Julian has built a solid reputation for incredible artwork, with a very clever twist, here at Highpants we would like to solute Julian and his art.
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Source: Julian Beever
