Course Highlights


Taking Perspective a Step Further

We've seen what happens to the basic view of the cubic form when it is lowered and raised beyond the horizon line. Now let's see what happens when you turn the cube on an angle so that it is no longer parallel with the drawing plane. In fact, whether drawing urban or natural landscapes you will likely find that objects look less attractive if they are placed parallel to the drawing plane and therefore are almost always placed at an angle.

To draw an angled cube in perspective, we will have to use what's known as 2 point perspective, also known as angular perspective .

To begin, we establish our horizon line. Next, we place a vanishing point on either end of the horizon line. From these points, we will draw a series of diagonal lines (perspective lines) that will intersect in ways that will guide us in drawing the cubic form in perspective.

In this next demonstration, we will draw a large truck. Notice how the perspective lines gradually form the sides of the truck and guide us in proportioning the size of the wheels.




Two point perspective can seem a little tricky at first but if you analyze the perspective lines we have drawn and slowly attempt to recreate them, you will get the hang of it. When it comes to drawing, it is often much easier to learn by doing then to interpret long paragraphs of descriptive text because art is a predominantly visual skill.

The next set of sketches show the same process used to draw the same truck but above the horizon line this time.



Note: The angle of an object can be repositioned and its vanishing points will remain on the same horizon as other established objects, but you can not change your viewpoint of that object without changing the position of the horizon. Consequently, if you begin a drawing sitting down, you must carry out the drawing sitting down. If you are standing, remain standing and so forth.
Final Note: The distance of the vanishing points with respect to the object plays an important role in its representation. The closer the points are to the model, the more distorted it will appear. It is important to place the vanishing points at a distance, otherwise the images will look distorted. (45• angle serves as a useful guide.)

Other pages of interest

Establishing the horizon line
Drawing a cube in perspective
Taking drawing perspective a step further
Sketching cube based objects
Sketching spherical objects


 


 

 

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