PERSPECTIVE: is the art of drawing solid objects on a two-dimensional surface so as to give the right impression of their height, width, depth, and position in relation to each other when viewed from a particular point.

Another dictionary defines it as ” …a mathematical system for representing three-dimensional objects and space on a two-dimensional surface by means of intersecting lines that are drawn vertically and horizontally…”

One-point perspective

A drawing has one-point perspective when it contains only one vanishing point on the horizon line. This type of perspective is typically used for images of roads, railway tracks, hallways, or buildings viewed so that the front is directly facing the viewer.

Two-point perspective

A drawing has two-point perspective when it contains two vanishing points on the horizon line. In an illustration, these vanishing points can be placed arbitrarily along the horizon. Two-point perspective can be used to draw the same objects as one-point perspective, rotated: looking at the corner of a house, or at two forked roads shrinking into the distance, for example.

Three-point perspective

Three-point perspective is often used for buildings seen from above (or below). In addition to the two vanishing points from before, one for each wall, there is now one for how the vertical lines of the walls recede. For an object seen from above, this third vanishing point is below the ground. For an object seen from below, as when the viewer looks up at a tall building, the third vanishing point is high in space.

Diagonal Lines: Lines that slant.

Eye Level Line: Another term for “Horizon Line”.

Form: A 3-dimensional object with volume.

Horizon Line: Also known as “Eye Level Line”. This is a single line used to communicate perspective. It may or may not be placed inside the picture plane. It presents the “eye level” to the viewer.

Horizontal Lines: Lines which run from side to side. Horizontal lines will always be parallel to the top and bottom edges of our drawing paper. (Not to be confused with “Horizon Line.”)

Parallel Lines: These are lines placed side by side. No matter how far we extend them, they will never touch. Parallel lines can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.

Perspective Lines: (Orthogonal Lines). Lines that converge at a Vanishing Point to show perspective. Note that in reality these are Parallel Lines. In drawing, however, these lines converge.

Plane: A flat, 2-dimensional surface with no thickness. (A cube has 6 separate planes.)

Orthogonal Lines: Perspective Lines.

Vanishing Point:A point on a Horizon Line where all Perspective Lines meet.

Vertical Lines: Lines which run up and down on the page. These lines will be parallel to the sides of the drawing paper. 

Imagine you're standing on a street corner, looking at a building. If you pay attention, you'll notice that the building doesn't look perfectly straight from your view. Instead, the sides of the building seem to angle away from you, getting smaller as they go further into the distance. This is where two-point perspective comes in!

Two-point perspective is a drawing technique used to create the illusion of depth and space when you're drawing objects, especially buildings or boxes. Unlike one-point perspective, which has just one vanishing point (where all the lines seem to meet), two-point perspective uses two vanishing points.

How It Works:

1. Horizon Line: Just like in one-point perspective, you start by drawing a horizontal line across your paper. This line represents the viewer's eye level.

2. Two Vanishing Points: Instead of one vanishing point, you now have two, one on the left side of the horizon line and one on the right. All the lines in your drawing will either go towards the left vanishing point or the right vanishing point.

Why Use Two-Point Perspective?

Two-point perspective is super useful because it helps you draw objects that look more realistic and three-dimensional, especially when you're looking at them from an angle. It makes your drawings look like they have depth, and they aren’t just flat on the page.

So, next time you want to draw a cool street scene, a house, or even a fancy box, try using two-point perspective. It's like giving your drawings a real sense of space, almost like they could pop off the page!

Objective

During this project you will do research on perspective drawing.

The goal of all the assignments together is for you to be able to draw a city in 2 point perspective with everything a city has. (check out the video in the inspiration section)

Also check out the column 'exercises' and your Teams to find out more.