The original sentence is not grammatically incorrect, but it is awkward and poorly structured. Since the intention is to describe a "technique used ...," the sentence should include who is using this technique. Logically, a painter uses foreshortening to achieve a three-dimensional effect.
A quick scan of the beginnings of the choices reveals a 2-2-1 split, with (A) and (B) beginning with "used as," (C) and (D) beginning with "painters," and (E) beginning with "used by."
Eliminate (A) and (B). These choices describe the "technique used as a ... attempt." "Painter's" is used as an adjective describing the attempt, not as the person using the technique.
(C) and (D) deserve careful attention, since they both contain the "painters ... use" structure. Unfortunately, (C) adds the idiomatically incorrect "at trying," and (D) changes the meaning of the original sentence. The painters aren't attempting to use foreshortening; they're attempting to represent three dimensions in two dimensions. Eliminate (C) and (D).
(E) expresses the intended meaning clearly and correctly. It states who is using the technique and retains the original meaning of the sentence.
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