The Basics of Perspective Drawing

Perspective drawing is a thing used quite often by many types of artists. Those that paint landscapes need a sense of perspective as well as those who make up images. Cityscapes, graphic design and of course comic books all use some degree of perspective drawing.

Here I will go over the basics of drawing in perspective.


The image below contains 5 examples of perspective drawing. I have used 1, 2 & 3-point perspective in this image. Take a look at it and see if you know which images are done in each of the different perspectives.

Generally in perspective drawing their is always a horizon line. This line goes straight across the page left to right and is considered to be eye level. Draw this first and then place your VP(s) on it.

There are then vanishing points (VPs) and there's always at least 1 VP. A vanishing point is the point in the distance where objects are no longer visible and so lines are drawn towards the VP(s) to give the impression of objects being further away.

Let's take a look at the different types of perspective drawing there are. There is 1, 2 & 3 point perspective and all this means is that there are 1,2 or 3 vanishing points. The number of vanishing points affects the ways in which lines are drawn, this will be explained in the sections below.

1 Point Perspective

In 1 point perspective there is one vanishing point. In this type of perspective lines are drawn horizontally, vertically or they are drawn to the VP. 

If you look at the picture above you will see that the images just below centre and at the top right of picture are both drawn to 1 VP. The lines that make up the cube and cuboid shapes are perfectly vertical and horizontal with the other lines travelling directly towards the VP.

A classic example of 1 point perspective is the train track image. Take a look at an example below (image from- http://www.animationbrain.com)

This image perfectly illustrates 1 point perspective. The telegraph poles are drawn vertically with their cross bars being perfectly horizontal but the very top an bottom of each post has been drawn towards the VP. The railway sleepers are also horizontal but the track lines are disappearing into the background where the VP is.

This type of perspective is deal for simple drawings looking down a street, using 1 VP to draw the view in a particular direction.

2 Point Perspective

In 2 point perspective their are two vanishing points. Their is only one significant difference between 2 and 1 point perspective. This difference is that instead of drawing horizontal lines, those lines now go to 1 of the 2 VPs.

The VPs are placed at either side of the page and only vertical lines do not go towards a vanishing point. 

Going back to the picture at the top of this post the cube sitting on the horizon line is in 2 point perspective as is the image below.

It is a bit more advanced than simple cube drawings but you can clearly see where the lines are going to the VPs and where they are vertical. Ignore the archway for now as that is for more advanced drawings.

This type of perspective is often used for drawing a view down 2 streets as though you are standing on the corner or for doing rooms like the one I have done.

3 Point Perspective

To do drawings using 3 points of perspective add a third vanishing point above or below the horizon. Lines that were vertical will now be drawn to this VP instead.

The objects at the top left and bottom right are both done using 3 point perspective, each using a different third point.

The top left object has its VP high above the horizon that draws the eye up as though looking at a gigantic object or one that is high in the sky.

The bottom right object has its VP below the horizon which draws the eye down as though towering over something or looking down over a cityscape from high in the sky. 

Note how in both pictures the lines that would have been vertical in 2 point perspective are now drawn to a third point creating an extreme viewing angle ideal for adding extra effect to pictures.

I have briefly mentioned how the horizon line is eye level, this is because that is where your eye would looking if looking straight ahead. If an object is below the horizon line and we are looking down on the picture this is known as a bird's eye view. When we are looking up at an object because it is above the horizon line we are looking at it from a worm's eye view.

Some people like to think that you are only a real artist if you draw perspective without using a ruler. Ignore these people. The way to really draw perspective accurately is to use a ruler. In time you may be skilled enough to judge perspective without having to use a ruler and do a pretty good job of it but for now use a ruler. Especially if you are drawing buildings/straight edged objects.

That's it for the basics of perspective drawing. I have said that all  lines go in certain directions, this is not actually true for some objects but I will explain this in a post on advanced perspective drawing. Keep it simple for drawing standard cubes/cuboids with squares and rectangles in them. Take your time and practice the simple things before progressing.

Perspective drawing can be confusing at first but when you understand how it works it will become so much clearer.