Two-Point PerspectiveTwo-Point Perspective During the Renaissance During the Renaissance artists became very artists became very interested in making two-interested in making two-dimensional artworks look dimensional artworks look three-dimensional. They three-dimensional. They used mathematics and used mathematics and close observation to invent close observation to invent “Linear perspective"—a “Linear perspective"—a technique that allows artists technique that allows artists to trick the eye into seeing to trick the eye into seeing great distances or 3-D great distances or 3-D forms in a 2-D artwork. forms in a 2-D artwork.

Linear perspective allows artists to trick the eye into seeing depth on a flat surface.

Why can’t we Why can’t we just guess?just guess?

Many earlier artists were Many earlier artists were interested in showing interested in showing depth, they could see depth, they could see the objects receded into the objects receded into space and so tried to space and so tried to copy the effect, but the copy the effect, but the results were not always results were not always accurate. accurate.

2 point 2 point PerspectivePerspective

Perspective is a realistic way of Perspective is a realistic way of drawing objects in 3D. We have drawing objects in 3D. We have already looked at single point already looked at single point perspective in Foundations 1. Now lets perspective in Foundations 1. Now lets look at Two point perspective (using look at Two point perspective (using two vanishing points).two vanishing points).When an object is drawn using two or When an object is drawn using two or more vanishing points, it is even more more vanishing points, it is even more realistic than if it were to be drawn with realistic than if it were to be drawn with a single vanishing point because we a single vanishing point because we rarely view our world from a single rarely view our world from a single angle.angle.

Perspective is the ‘Science of Art’.Perspective is the ‘Science of Art’.Two-point perspective Two-point perspective is useful to show an is useful to show an angle rather than face-angle rather than face-on.on.

In perspective, most In perspective, most lines are vertical or lines are vertical or ‘orthogonal’ (right ‘orthogonal’ (right angles) drawn to two angles) drawn to two different vanishing different vanishing points. points.

Now watch the illustration and see if you can learn Now watch the illustration and see if you can learn the pattern for drawing a cube in two point the pattern for drawing a cube in two point perspective.perspective.

Now it’s your turn:Now it’s your turn:1. Turn your paper horizontal 1. Turn your paper horizontal ("landscape" orientation) ("landscape" orientation)

2. Line the end of your ruler 2. Line the end of your ruler up with the side of your page. up with the side of your page.

Be sure the ruler is straight Be sure the ruler is straight and flush with the edge of the and flush with the edge of the page or everything will be page or everything will be crooked! crooked!

You may prefer using a triangle to draw horizontal and You may prefer using a triangle to draw horizontal and

vertical lines. Just make sure it is correctly placed!vertical lines. Just make sure it is correctly placed!

3. Draw a horizontal 3. Draw a horizontal line one or two line one or two inches down from inches down from top of the page. This top of the page. This is your horizon line. is your horizon line.

4. Draw two dots on 4. Draw two dots on your horizon line near your horizon line near the edges of the the edges of the paper. These are your paper. These are your vanishing points.vanishing points.

5. Draw a vertical line 5. Draw a vertical line that is the "front edge" that is the "front edge" of your form. of your form.

Draw lightly so you can erase!Draw lightly so you can erase! 6. Connect the two ends of 6. Connect the two ends of your "front edge" line to your "front edge" line to each vanishing point. each vanishing point. These are called These are called orthogonal lines. orthogonal lines. 7. Draw two vertical lines 7. Draw two vertical lines between the orthogonal between the orthogonal lines where you want the lines where you want the back edges of your form. back edges of your form.

Remember: In two-point Remember: In two-point perspective most lines are either perspective most lines are either vertical or orthogonal. There are vertical or orthogonal. There are rarely horizontal lines in two-point rarely horizontal lines in two-point perspective!perspective!

8. Now join the back, 8. Now join the back, top corners to the top corners to the opposite vanishing opposite vanishing point to complete the point to complete the top of the form. top of the form.

9. Erase the extra orthogonal lines. Now 9. Erase the extra orthogonal lines. Now you have a simple form drawn in two-you have a simple form drawn in two-point perspective! point perspective!

10. Now add details and experiment! 10. Now add details and experiment!

Two Point Perspective distortionTwo Point Perspective distortion

Find your horizon line first. Then find out how much distance in Find your horizon line first. Then find out how much distance in proportion to the object's height there is between the horizon proportion to the object's height there is between the horizon line and the front vertical edge of the object. This will help line and the front vertical edge of the object. This will help eliminate distortions. eliminate distortions.

Remember that you are working within a cone of vision. Remember that you are working within a cone of vision. Adjust your drawing so that all of the information is within Adjust your drawing so that all of the information is within this cone, otherwise you will have some distorted areas. this cone, otherwise you will have some distorted areas.

From Simple shapes to everyday objectsFrom Simple shapes to everyday objects

In this example a simple In this example a simple kitchen table is drawn in two kitchen table is drawn in two point perspective. This is point perspective. This is much more difficult much more difficult compared to the single point compared to the single point perspective. This time it is perspective. This time it is very important to very important to projectproject guidelines towards both guidelines towards both vanishing points. vanishing points.

Vanishing point

More complex objectsMore complex objects

Eye level line

Vanishing point

Vanishing point

Another complex objectAnother complex object

All objects have receding edges. Whether they are rounded or oval, or flat or wedged shaped, they all recede into the distance. Perspective is the method an artist uses to obtain more realism and depth in their drawings.

Even comic Even comic book artists find book artists find an appropriate an appropriate application of application of perspective.perspective.

Cone of vision

Cylinders in perspective are also figured by Cylinders in perspective are also figured by using the eye level line and vanishing points. using the eye level line and vanishing points. Notice how a cylinder fits into a square space.Notice how a cylinder fits into a square space.

A circle in perspective is called an ellipse.

ellipse

Your Assignment: Your Assignment: 2pt. Perspective Building2pt. Perspective Building

Create a building structure with more than 20 windows and Create a building structure with more than 20 windows and multiple rooms, etc, added on to the basic structure. It can multiple rooms, etc, added on to the basic structure. It can be modern or historical, fantasy or actual. I must also have a be modern or historical, fantasy or actual. I must also have a broken roof line of added and subtracted perspective.broken roof line of added and subtracted perspective.

If you need Ideas or have a certain look you want to create, look at references. They will help you get the feel you desire to achieve in your drawing.

Your final may look something like these.Your final may look something like these.

Do them in black and white or in color. It is up to you, but take the time to make them clean and professional looking.

When you are finished with the perspective aspect, add value to create a more lifelike scene.