S1-E3: Introduction to Two-Point Perspective

2-POINT PERSPECTIVE

In this quick draw exercise the aim is to draw a series of cubes using two-point perspective. The challenge is to draw the cubes, using two-point perspective, anywhere on your drawing.

In this drawing all vertical lines stay vertical and parallel to the other vertical lines within the drawing.

KEY DRAWING SKILLS

Two-point perspective is a way of drawing that shows how things appear to get smaller as they go further away from us, the viewer of the image, as they recede to the left and the right.

As an artist it is useful to be able to understand and draw using two-point perspective as it is a great way to draw the illusion of solid shapes on the surface of a flat piece of paper.

It is best to use two-point perspective when drawing things that are receding to the left and the right and which have receding parallel lines. The most common thing that fits this description is a cuboid, a 3D rectangle, where we are looking at its edge.

Here are some examples:

The corner of a house, looking both left and right

A corner of the interior of a room, looking both left and right

A table or other furniture, looking both left and right

A car, looking both left and right

A field, looking both left and right

It is interesting to note that in two-point perspective there is most often a corner in the center of the drawing. This allows the subject of the drawing to recede to the left and to the right.



TWO-POINT PERSPECTIVE:

Two-point perspective is a form of linear perspective in which parallel receding lines will look like they meet at one of two vanishing points on the horizon. Generally these vanishing points are far apart from each other.

HORIZON LINE:

The line that represents the height of the eye of the viewer of the image.

Everything above the horizon line, we are looking up at. Everything below the horizon line, we are looking down at.

As we change the height of our eyes, when we look at what is in front of us, the height of the horizon line changes too.

VANISHING POINT:

The vanishing point is a point where receding parallel lines appear to meet, at the greatest distance from us, the viewer, on the horizon line.

Complete and Continue  
Discussion

13 comments