TWO-POINT

Brenda Hoddinott

In this lesson, you use two point geometric perspective to transform a single vertical line into a three-dimensional form. The cube in this lesson is drawn below the horizon line; hence, you feel that it is slightly below you.

K-03 INTERMEDIATE: PERSPECTIVE 2

This lesson includes the following two sections:

SETTING UP TWO POINTS OF PERSPECTIVE: You draw a horizon line and two vanishing points in preparation for drawing a cube with two point perspective.

Suggested drawing supplies include drawing paper, pencils, erasers, and a ruler.

DRAWING A CUBE IN PERSPECTIVE: When the corner of a cube appears closer to you than one of its sides, you need to use two-point perspective to illustrate it correctly.

This lesson is recommended for artists with good drawing skills and a basic understanding of geometric perspective, as well as advanced students of home schooling, academic and recreational fine art educators.

5 PAGES 8 ILLUSTRATIONS

Published by Drawspace.com, Halifax, NS, Canada 2008 (Revised - June, 2009)

Perspective is a visual illusion in a drawing in which objects appear to become smaller, and recede into distant space, the farther away they are from the viewer. Geometric perspective (sometimes called linear perspective) is a method of representing subjects in a drawing, in such a way that they seem to recede into distant space, and appear smaller the farther they are away from you. Two point perspective occurs when the corner of a straight sided form (such as a cube) is closer to you than one of its sides, none of its sides are parallel to the horizon line, and its edges recede in space and converge at two vanishing points. Horizon line is an element of perspective, also known as eye level that refers to an imaginary horizontal line that divides your line of vision when you look straight ahead. Your eye level always stays with you wherever you move. Vanishing point is an imaginary point (often marked VP) on the horizon line where perspective lines seem to converge. Perspective lines are straight, angular lines (invisible in real life), which extend from the edges of subjects back to a vanishing point(s) on the horizon line.

Drawing in proper perspective means unlearning some of what your brain currently knows about what it sees, and readjusting its perceptions to a different set of rules.

SETTING UP TWO POINTS OF PERSPECTIVE

For example, you know a cube has six sides. But, you actually see no more than three sides at any one time (unless its made of clear glass). Most objects are not transparent and drawing them correctly requires that you record them as you actually see them, not as your mind knows or perceives them to be. In this section, you draw a horizon line and two vanishing points in preparation for drawing a cube with two point perspective. 1) Press very lightly with your HB pencil. Refer to Figure 401. Use your ruler to draw a horizon line that is parallel to the top and bottom of a square or rectangular drawing space.

2)

Add two small dots on opposite ends of the horizon line to represent the two vanishing points. I have marked them with VP1 and VP2.

FIGURE 401

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this document belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott. E-mail brenda@drawspace.com Web site http://www.drawspace.com

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When the corner of a building (or any straight sided form) is closer to you than one of its sides, none of its sides are parallel to the horizon line. You use two-point perspective to illustrate it correctly. The cube in this lesson is drawn below the horizon line; hence, you feel that you are above it.

DRAWING A CUBE IN PERSPECTIVE

3)

This vertical line represents the corner of the cube that is closest to the viewer.
FIGURE 402

Draw a line (marked AB) vertical to the horizon line, to represent a corner edge of a cube (Figure 402).

4)

Draw a straight line from the upper and lower points of line AB to each of the vanishing points.

Refer to Figure 403 on the following page. These lines represent the top and bottom of two sides of the cube that appear to recede into distant space.
FIGURE 403

5)

The point where each line ends is on the two diagonal perspective lines (Figure 404). Draw lines CD and EF parallel to line AB.

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this document belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott. E-mail brenda@drawspace.com Web site http://www.drawspace.com

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FIGURE 404

6)

Now all the sides of your rectangular form are in their proper places (Figure 405). Connect point C to VP2, and connect E to VP-1.
FIGURE 405

7)

Refine the lines that identify the cube with a dark pencil (or fine tip marker). Refer to Figure 406. Erase the perspective lines you dont need (Figure 407), and add shading if you wish (Figure 408).

FIGURE 406

8)

Sign your name on the back of your drawing, write todays date on each, and put a smile on your face!
Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this document belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott. E-mail brenda@drawspace.com Web site http://www.drawspace.com

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FIGURE 407 FIGURE 408

As a self-educated teacher, visual artist, portraitist, forensic artist (retired), and illustrator, Brenda Hoddinott utilizes diverse art media including her favorites: graphite and paint.

BRENDA HODDINOTT

My philosophy on teaching art is to focus primarily on the enjoyment aspects while gently introducing the technical and academic. Hence, in creating a passion for the subject matter, the quest for knowledge also becomes enjoyable.
>Brenda Hoddinott<

Brenda is the author of Drawing for Dummies (Wiley Publishing, Inc., New York, NY) and The Complete Idiots Guide to Drawing People (Winner of the Alpha-Penguin Book of the Year Award 2004, Alpha - Pearson Education Macmillan, Indianapolis, IN). She is currently writing two books on classical drawing.

During her twenty-five year career as a self-educated civilian forensic artist, various criminal investigation departments have employed Brendas skills, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In 1992, Brenda was honored with a commendation from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and in 1994, she was awarded a Certificate of Membership from Forensic Artists International. In 2003, Brenda retired from her careers as a forensic artist and teacher to work full time writing books and developing her website (Drawspace.com). This site is respected as a resource for fine art educators, home schooling programs, and educational facilities throughout the world.

Born in St. Johns, Newfoundland, Brenda grew up in the small town of Corner Brook. She developed strong drawing and painting skills through self-directed learning.

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this document belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott. E-mail brenda@drawspace.com Web site http://www.drawspace.com