Reverspectives are three-dimensional paintings that when viewed from the front initially give the impression of viewing a painted flat surface that shows a perspective view. However as soon as the viewer moves their head even slightly the three dimensional surface that supports the perspective view accentuates the depth of the image and accelerates the shifting perspective far more than the brain normally allows. This provides a powerful and often disorienting impression of depth and movement. Patrick Hughes takes full advantage of this effect in his use of surrealist images that reinforce the altered reality of the viewer.
The illusion is made possible by painting the view in reverse to the relief of the surface, that is, the bits that stick furthest out from the painting are painted with the most distant part of the scene. This is where the term reverse perspective or Reverspective comes from. A more detailed explanation of the relationship between perspective and Reverspective can be found in the next section. For the technically inclined in depth discussion can be found in the various scientific papers on this site.
- Patrick Hughes Web Site
Link Patrick Hughes, YouTube, Part 2
Link Patrick Hughes Web Site
