Introduction To Perspective Drawing

Introduction to Perspective Drawing Linear Perspective is a geometric method of representing on paper the way that objects appear to get smaller and closer together, the further away they are. Imagine driving along a very straight desert on a grassy plain - the road, the fences and power-poles all diminishing towards a single spot far ahead of you. That's single-point perspective. Single- or one-point perspective is a simplest method of making objects look three- dimensional. Objects must be placed to that the front sides are parallel to the picture plane, with the side edges receding to a single point. Take a look at Da Vinci's Study for Adoration of the Magi to see the effect. (notice how the building is placed so that it faces the viewer, with the stairs and side walls diminishing towards a single point in the center.)

Two-point perspective is slightly more complex, as both the front and back edges, and side edges, of an object must be diminished towards vanishing points. Two-point perspective is often used when drawing buildings in the landscape. The effect can be carried even further, with three-point perspective used to create impressive visual effects, such as a view from a skyscraper. Perspective

Linear Perspective describes the apparent diminishing of scale as the distance from object to viewer increases. Atmospheric perspective attempts to duplicate the visual effect of near objects being crisp and clear while distant objects may be less distinct and muted.

VAD_1 Perspective Drawing

Perspective drawing is a technique of drawing that allows the artist to show objects in three dimensions. Artists invented linear perspective in the 1500's and helped begin the Renaissance period of history. Before perspective was invented, many artists tried to represent depth and space in their artworks using common techniques such as overlapping shaped to show that objects can exist in front of each other. They also placed small objects in the distance and large objects in the foreground. However, sometimes these techniques did not accurately represent space as we are used to see it today in art.

We hope you will explore our site to see some historical examples of perspective development, to learn how one and two point perspective drawing techniques are used, to see what we did in class to explore perspective around our school, and check out additional links related to perspective drawing.

How to Draw Perspective

VAD_2 Draw a Box Using One-Point Perspective

Let's draw a box using one-point perspective. First, draw a horizon line about one-third down your page. Mark a spot roughly in the middle of the line. That's your vanishing point.

Now, draw a rectangle about two-thirds down the page, roughly in the middle. Lightly draw lines from the top two corners to the vanishing point.

Draw a horizontal line between these two orthogonals ('vanishing lines'). This is the back of the box. Darken the lines between this horizontal and the box, and erase the rest of the vanishing lines up to the horizon. There! A 3-D box.

If you draw a box to the side of the vanishing point, you will need to also draw a vanishing line from the bottom corner, as show in the example. When you draw the horizontal to make the back of the box, just drop a vertical line from where it meets the top orthogonal down to the bottom one, to give you the rear edge of the box.

Experiment drawing boxes in different places in relation to the vanishing point and horizon. Horizon Line

Definition: The horizon line in perspective drawing is a horizontal line across the picture. It is always at eye level - its placement determines where we seem to be

VAD_3 looking from - a high place, or from close to the ground. The actual horizon might not be visible, but you need to draw a 'virtual' horizon to construct a picture in perspective.

Vanishing Point

Definition: In Linear Perspective drawing, the point(s) on the horizon line to which the receding parallel lines diminish.

Orthogonals: In Linear Perspective drawing, the diagonal lines that can be drawn along receding parallel lines (or rows of objects) to the vanishing point.

Also Known As: Convergence lines, vanishing lines

Alternate Spellings: orthogonal

How to Draw Perspective Draw a Box Using Two-Point Perspective

Here's how to draw a box using simple two-point perspective. If you haven't tried it before it might look complicated, so just draw one step at a time. First, draw your horizon line across the top of the page. Mark two vanishing points, as far apart as possible.

Draw a short vertical line for the front corner of your box (the black line in the picture) and then draw a construction line ('orthogonal') from the top and bottom of the line, to each vanishing point (the dark blue lines).

Next draw a vertical line to the left of your 'front corner', between the top and bottom construction lines (the magenta line). From the top and bottom points of this line, draw construction lines back to the RIGHT vanishing point (VP2). Next, draw a similar vertical line to the right of your 'front corner', and from the top and bottom points of this line, draw construction lines back to the LEFT vanishing point (VP1).

Where the top construction lines intersect, drop a vertical line to the intersection of the bottom construction lines - this will give you the back corner of the box (the green line). VAD_4 Erase the construction lines and any interior lines

Try this exercise using a horizon line at different heights, and placing the box in different places in relation to the vanishing points. Note that 'realistic' perspective requires vanishing points that are very far apart - try using a large piece of scrap paper under your drawing paper, and making your vanishing points as far apart as the table (and your ruler) will allow.