As I’m sketching backdrops for books, I’m learning more about how to draw in perspective. And it’s not easy. The amount of double-checking angles and marking points is as irritating as doing research for a book or rewriting one.
Regardless, I love being able to create realistic dimensions and proper shapes. That takes some understanding of perspective though, which is why I gathered all my sources and am breaking down the elements of 1-, 2-, and 3- point perspective and how to draw within those parameters.
What is Perspective?
This section is a quick refresher for those who draw or new information for those wanting to get started.
As defined by Deborah Rockman in Drawing Essentials, perspective creates “a two-dimensional illusion of a three-dimensional subject or three-dimensional space.” (105). Paper is flat, or 2-D. Anything drawn on paper is then flat. However, a drawing can give the illusion of depth, which constitutes a 3-D form. Depth can be accomplished through many methods like shading and size proportions. These methods usually follow atmospheric perspective, or how objects appear from a distance (Rockman 106).
Linear perspective, which is what I’ll focus on, is the appearance of shapes based on the observer’s point of view (Rockman 106). To get out of messy technical terms, think of the horizon. Where the sky and ground meet is a straight line, let’s say the horizon line. Based on this line, the view of an object, say a building, will change depending on where the viewer stands. This is where 1-, 2-, and 3-point perspective come into play.
1-Point Perspective: Right in Front
I’ll stick with the building example. Especially since that’s what I drew for you guys. :)
1-point perspective is a full frontal view. Rockman describes it as “parallel perspective” because all lines will be parallel and remain parallel (113). So 1-point is nothing fancy. For our building, it’ll just be a square. A circle is simply a circle. Depth in this perspective will be atmospheric.
When you watch the video, notice how I start every element (building, arched door, round window) with a square and then mark the diagonals and central vertical/horizontal. All this extra work helps build a proper circle by finding the center. Once that is found, the edges match the vertical and horizontal and rounds away from the corners. In case my explanation is confusing (highly probable), the video above should help.
My reason for going over this is because 2- and 3-point get more complicated. Using squares as a base and the diagonals, verticals, and horizontals to make circles and arches will help immensely when keeping in perspective.
2-Point Perspective: Street Corner
2-point perspective adds visible depth to our house. I’ll be drawing on the right corner, so the front is to the left and the now visible side to the right. Obviously, 2-point is supposed to represent the fact that two sides are visible rather than one. But there’s another reason.
Before any details get added, proper 2-point perspective requires the horizon line and two points on either side of the corner. These two points are called vanishing points.
Mentally, we know that a wall will remain the same height no matter how far away is it. Visually, a wall seems to shrink the further away it is. That means parallel lines (top and bottom) need to converge to properly portray this observation. Vanishing points are where the lines converge.
The “square mapping,” as I’ll call it, will shift. The center of the square won’t seem center, but for this perspective, it is. For the roof, finish the square at the top and find the center. That center is the center of the roof and connects to the edges. All aspects of this house are going to be based on the vanishing points. If I was to add another house beside it, the second house would have the same points. I won’t go into outriggers (extra pieces of paper taped to the sides of your final composition), but if you need more room, don’t be afraid to grab some paper and extend your horizon line. It helps to get it right.
3-Point Perspective: Aerial View or “Worm” View
Looking down on a house from an airplane puts it in 3-point perspective optically. Again, three sides are visible, hence the 3-point. More technically though, there’s another vanishing point (VP). If an aerial view, the horizon line is higher than the ground and the VP is below the house. If a “worm” or low to the ground view, the horizon line is lower and the VP is above the house. Where the two vanishing points on the horizon collect the horizontal parallels, this third point marks the convergence of all the vertical parallels.
Pardon the messy drawing; I’m not as confident with this perspective. That’s why learning “square mapping” on 1-point perspective helps when you reach 3-point. All the same methods apply.
Practice, Practice, Practice
There’s nothing I can suggest more than practice. Head knowledge is good, but knowledge never practiced doesn’t go far. For my 2-point perspective project for class, I made maybe four working sketches before moving on to my 22″ x 30″ drawing paper. And that’s not including all the thumbnails I made when trying to figure out the subject. Practice builds skill. So no matter what your drawing background, you can accomplish 1-, 2-, and 3-point perspective.