The owl and the pussy cat went to sea. Who knows where they’ll travel to and when we’ll see them again after they disappear over the horizon…..but first there has to be a horizon for them to disappear over…
Luckily puss had a paintbrush handy and could add a line for the horizon.
In this article we’re going to look at the horizon line.
Here’s what we’re going to cover:
What is the horizon line?
Why is it important?
Low Horizon line
High horizon line
After that you’ll get to practice with some images I provide, along with any of your own.
What Is The Horizon Line?
The horizon line is the point where the earth meets the sky.
It doesn’t have to be a straight line.
Why Is It Important?
Horizon line is a keystone of perspective
It controls the height of the viewers eye when they’re looking at the cartoon.
It is used most commonly with landscapes.
However, it can be used in interior scenes.
It is always at eye level.
It determines where the viewer is looking from, whether its high up or close to the ground.
The actual horizon itself may not be visible.
It shows you the viewer what is interesting in the picture.
Low Horizon Line
Low horizon line puts the emphasis on the upper part of your drawing - the sky, the upper part of a building, a ceiling, tall person/animal etc
High Horizon Line
High horizon line puts the emphasis on the lower part of your drawing - the ground, floor, owner part of a person/animal.
Over To You
Here are some images you can add horizon lines. Experiment by adding them in different positions.
You can also play around with some of your own cartoons.
Summary
The horizon line is a key part of perspective.
Can be outdoors or indoors.
It guides your viewer’s eye.
Low horizon line emphasizes the the upper part of your drawing.
High horizon line emphasizes on the lower part of your drawing.