The Theory and Practice of Perspective

by G. A. Storey

Fig. 263 shows the shadows cast by a candle or lamp, where the rays diverge from the point of light to meet corresponding diverging lines which start from the foot of the luminary on the ground.

Fig. 263.

The simple principle of cast shadows is that the rays coming from the point of light or luminary pass over the top of the intervening object which casts the shadow on to the plane of shade to meet the horizontal trace of those rays on that plane, or the

lines of light proceed from the point of light, and the lines of the shadow are drawn from the foot or trace of the point of light.

Fig. 264 shows this in profile. Here the sun is on the same plane as the picture, and the shadow is cast sideways.

Fig. 264.	Fig. 265.

Fig. 265 shows the same thing, but the sun being behind the

object, casts its shadow forwards. Although the lines of light are parallel, they are subject to the laws of perspective, and are therefore drawn from their respective vanishing points.