The Probert Encyclopaedia of General Information

FORESHORTENING

In drawing and painting, foreshortening is the art of representing figures in such a manner as to convey to the mind the impression of the entire length of any object which is pointing more or less directly towards the spectator standing in front of the picture. The projecting object is shortened in proportion to its approach to the perpendicular to the plane of the picture, and in consequence appears of a just length.
Research Foreshortening