Perspective Notes 8 th Grade Art Perspective Perspective is the representation of three-dimensional objects on a flat twodimensional surface. In perspective drawing, objects are made to recede in space by being drawn smaller and closer to the horizon (line). Perspective shows distance on a flat surface. Horizon Line The horizon line is the line level where the water or land seems to end and the sky begins. In a work of art it can be an actual or imaginary line representing the place where the sky and land appear to meet. The horizon line is always at your eye level. As your eye moves up or down, the horizon line moves with it. Vanishing Point - The vanishing point is the point on the horizon line at which any two or more parallel lines seem to meet. (Parallel lines never meet, but in art we need to make them look like they meet so we can show perspective and make our drawings look more realistic). Horizontal Line - Horizontal lines are lines that run from left to right and right to left. They are always parallel to the horizon line. In perspective drawing they are always horizontal, they will never meet on the horizon line. Perpendicular Lines Perpendicular lines are lines that run through or intersect the horizon line at a right angle. They will never slant and they will never meet each other. Parallel Lines Parallel lines are lines that are the same distance apart at every point. They extend in the same direction and never converge or meet. Remember that in perspective drawing parallel lines just look like they meet but they really don t. Basic Principle of Perspective Drawing The basic principle of perspective drawing is that objects closer up will tend to overlap objects behind them and that objects far away are drawn higher on the page and smaller than those close up. Spacing in Perspective In perspective drawing, as objects get farther away and closer to the horizon, they get smaller and closer together. Detail in Perspective In perspective drawing, as objects get farther away, they have less color and less detail. One-Point Perspective One-Point perspective is drawing in which all the parallel lines seem to meet or converge at one vanishing point. Two-Point Perspective - Two-Point perspective is drawing in which all the parallel lines seem to meet or converge at two vanishing points. All the lines that are drawn, except for the perpendicular lines will go to one of the vanishing points. If the lines are drawn to the left of a perpendicular line then they will go to the left vanishing point and if they are drawn on the right side of a perpendicular line they will go to the right vanishing point. (This is for each separate building that you draw).
Here is how to draw buildings in two-point perspective. It looks as if you are looking at a street corner. All the lines (except the perpendicular lines) will angle to one of the two vanishing points. All the tops and bottoms of windows, doors, signs, etc, must angle to a vanishing point as well.
1. Put two vanishing points at opposite ends of the horizon line. 2. Draw in the front vertical of the box. Drawing the line below the horizon line will create a view which we are looking down on. To look at the object from below, draw the front vertical above the horizon line. 3. Draw lines from the top of the vertical which disappear back to both of the vanishing points. Repeat the process for the bottom of the line. 4. To complete both of the sides by drawing in the back verticals. 5. To draw the top of the box, draw lines from the back verticals to the opposite vanishing points. Add the door including the small glass window. Take care to project guidelines to the right hand V.P. Add the flat roof projecting lines to both the right and left vanishing points.
Add the basic layout of the path by projecting two lines from the left V.P. through the front door.
By using the techniques of perspective drawing you can draw anything. Just be sure and use the vanishing points. Look and see if you find a couple of things that can be fixed on this drawing. They are easy to miss.