We know that artists use the vanishing point to create depth or perspective. Another technique they use is to divide the space into three horizontal parts: the foreground, middle ground and background. Objects in the foreground look larger and closer to us than objects in the background.

The foreground of a scene is usually closer to the bottom of the painting. This is often where your eyes look first. This area feels like it is at the front of the picture. The objects here are bigger and the artist uses thicker lines.

The background of a scene shows us where in the world the objects are; it gives us context. Because the artist wants the objects in the background to appear further away, they are smaller. Also, they have less detail and they’re usually darker than objects in the foreground.

The middle ground is the space that we see between the foreground and the background. It connects the two areas.