Plan a Foreground Boundary

Supplied materials

• Paper and a pencil for outlines of a leaf and stem. You can also describe where an outline is hidden.
• Read this example: A drawing must make leaf appear in front of stem. Which boundary instruction creates that overlap cue? Supplied candidates: (A) Draw both boundaries through each other without interruption (B) Keep leaf outline complete; interrupt stem outline behind it (C) Keep stem outline complete; interrupt leaf (D) Use only a caption and remove both shapes.
• Try this question: A drawing must make hand appear in front of cup. Which boundary instruction creates that overlap cue? Supplied candidates: (A) Draw both boundaries through each other without interruption (B) Keep cup outline complete; interrupt hand (C) Keep hand outline complete; interrupt cup outline behind it (D) Use only a caption and remove both shapes.

Learn the idea

To show one shape in front, keep its outline visible. Stop the outline of the shape behind it where it is covered. This helps the flat picture show the intended front and back.

Reason through the supplied case: The foreground shape’s complete boundary covers part of the farther boundary. Interrupting stem at that location supplies a depth cue, while reversing the interruption suggests the opposite order.

Drawing every boundary through the same crossing can remove the intended cue. The picture plan supports apparent depth, not actual measurements of the represented objects.

1. Read the leaf-and-stem drawing directions. Find which shape should appear in front.
2. Explain why the leaf outline stays complete while the stem outline stops behind it.
3. Try the question and all three practice questions before checking their answers.
4. Draw a leaf in front of a stem and mark where the stem outline becomes hidden.
5. Check your work: The leaf’s boundary remains readable and the stem is interrupted only behind it.

Check your reasoning

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Take it further

Try one more question: A drawing must make shoe appear in front of path. Which boundary instruction creates that overlap cue? Supplied candidates: (A) Draw both boundaries through each other without interruption (B) Keep path outline complete; interrupt shoe (C) Keep shoe outline complete; interrupt path outline behind it (D) Use only a caption and remove both shapes. Answer: Keep shoe outline complete; interrupt path outline behind it. The foreground shape’s complete boundary covers part of the farther boundary. Interrupting path at that location supplies a depth cue, while reversing the interruption suggests the opposite order. Now make your own work: Draw a leaf in front of a stem and mark where the stem outline becomes hidden. Check your work: The leaf’s boundary remains readable and the stem is interrupted only behind it.

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