When it comes to perceptive or foreshortened drawings, objects can appear larger than if viewed normally, and the distance between them can appear shorter.
Let us visualize a straight road that goes off into the distance. The road will have two parallel lines, and these will come closer to each other as the road stretches further away.
Placement on the paper means objects that are higher within the image, will seem further away. Overlapping is the placement of objects over each other, which then creates a sense of depth or an illusion of three dimensions.
This concept directly relates to the convergence principle. The parallel lines that converge, land up at a single point. This point is called a vanishing point.
When drawing foreshortening, the main effect is that an image will seem like it is being reduced as it moves away into the distance. The object will also seem to be shorter than it actually is.
If you want to draw realistic figures, you need to understand perspective, and foreshortening plays a big role. You have to understand what happens to ordinary proportions when you draw from an exaggerated viewpoint.
When you want to draw or paint something, you might need a reference to work from. This can involve a photo or reproduction, another existing art piece, or a directly observed figure or object.
When you begin drawing or painting a figure, you need to first visually measure the height. You do not have to be precise, but depending on the perspective you are going to capture, it can vary quite a lot.
Draw in lines, making a square or rectangle around the object or figure you wish to draw. And add a plumb line, which is a vertical line that can help act as a marker that measures accuracy as you build your composition.
Lightly draw these coils with a pencil and follow the form contours. It is an easy technique that can help you to feel out the form you are trying to draw.
You cannot take one aspect of an image and then apply a foreshortening perspective. Sometimes, you can be so focused on individual objects within a drawing, you can miss out on the bigger picture.
Take your time in planning your sketch and observing the details of what you are drawing or painting. Once you have gained more experience, this process will become easier and quicker.
Once all the larger areas have been covered and you have the basic form coming through, you can begin fleshing the image out. Remember, to consider the subject on paper in a three-dimensional form.