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What are Drawing Tangents?

Published in Art Composition Terminology 3 mins read

Drawing tangents, in the context of art and visual composition like paintings, photographs, or drawings, refer to specific instances where elements within the artwork align in a way that creates visual confusion or ambiguity for the viewer.

Understanding Tangents in Composition

Based on the provided reference, a tangent occurs:

"when two lines in a painting (or photograph, drawing, etc) touch each other in a way that causes spatial ambiguity."

This phenomenon disrupts the clear reading of space, form, and depth within the image. It's less about drawing a geometric tangent line to a curve and more about how visual elements intersect or align coincidentally in a compositional space.

How Tangents Happen

According to the reference, tangents can manifest in a couple of primary ways:

  • Edge Alignment: This is perhaps the most common type. It happens when the edge of one object perfectly lines up with or touches the edge of another object. This alignment can make it difficult to determine which edge belongs to which object or how far apart they are spatially.
  • Unusual Line and Angle Alignment: Tangents can also occur when lines and angles within the composition align in unexpected or awkward ways. This kind of alignment can feel unnatural or unsettling to the viewer, contributing to the sense of ambiguity.

The Effect of Tangents

The defining characteristic of a tangent, as highlighted in the reference, is the resulting spatial ambiguity. When lines or edges tangent, they can:

  • Obscure the true shape or edge of an object.
  • Flatten the sense of depth, making elements appear to merge rather than exist in distinct spatial planes.
  • Create a feeling of unease or awkwardness due to the unnatural alignment.

These effects can sometimes be unintentional compositional flaws that distract the viewer or weaken the image's clarity. However, in some cases, artists might use subtle tangents intentionally to create specific visual effects or tensions.

Tangents in Practice

Consider a simple example:

  • Imagine drawing a character's head, and the horizon line in the background perfectly aligns with the base of their chin. This alignment can make it seem like the head is unnaturally attached to the ground or visually flattens the space between the character and the background.
Aspect Description Effect
What it is Two lines/edges touching or aligning Causes spatial ambiguity
How it happens Edges lining up, Unusual angle/line alignment Obscures shapes/edges, Creates unease
Where it occurs Paintings, Photographs, Drawings, etc. Affects composition

Understanding tangents helps artists and photographers compose images that guide the viewer's eye clearly through the scene and maintain a convincing sense of space. Avoiding distracting tangents is a key skill in effective visual storytelling.