What is Perspective?

A perspective drawing is a representation of a three-dimensional object on a two-dimensional surface. The goal of a perspective drawing is to convey a real sense of three-dimensionality.

People from North America and Europe generally understand and feel comfortable with perspective drawings because they represent the reality of form in three dimensions as we naturally perceive it.

• The Horizon Line
• Characteristics of Perspective
• Resources About Perspective
• Examples of Perspective

The Horizon Line

The horizon line you perceive does not really exist. Next time you are on the top of a tall building, notice how the horizon line follows you from the ground floor.

The horizon line exists wherever your line of sight is.

In one point perspective, remember that the horizon line exists where the viewer's line of sight is. Also, in one point perspective, all parallel lines which are perpendicular to the horizon line will converge at a point on the horizon line called the vanishing point.

Perspective drawings possess four major characteristics, which are utilized to portray a sense of space, depth and the third dimension within the limits of a two-dimensional drawing:

• overlapping of forms
• diminution of size
• convergence of parallel lines
• foreshortening

Resources About Perspective

Perspective Drawing
http://forum.swarthmore.edu/sum95/math_and/perspective/perspect.html

Leonardo's Perspective
http://www.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/LeonardosPerspective.html

Exploring Linear Perspective
http://www.mos.org/sln/Leonardo/ExploringLinearPerspective.html

Linear Perspective
http://www2.evansville.edu/studiochalkboard/draw.html

• Introduction and some hints about using linear perspective.
• Exteriors (one point); horizon lines and vanishing points.
• Interiors (one point); when construction lines are obscured.
• Creating a Perfect Square in one-point perspective
• Drawing circles in one-point perspective
• Drawing Grids and Tile Floors in one-point perspective
• Calculating Diminishing Size in Linear Perspective
• Exteriors (two point); looking at an object's corner.
• Interiors (two point); looking into a corner.
• Inclines; how to find roof pitches and declines.
• Shadow Vanishing Points; casting shadows.
• Three-Point Perspective; worm's eye and bird's eye views.

Examples of Perspective

Andrea di Bartolo Sienese, active 1389 - 1428 The Nativity of the Virgin, c. 1400

http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/gg3/gg3-186.0.html

Giovanni di Paolo di Grazia Sienese, c. 1403 - 1482 The Annunciation, c. 1445

http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/gg3/gg3-367.0.html

Follower of Robert Campin Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden, c. 1440/1460

http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/gg39/gg39-45605.0.html

Pieter de Hooch Dutch, 1629 - 1684 A Dutch Courtyard, 1658/1660

http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/gg51/gg51-66.0.html

Pieter de Hooch Dutch, 1629 - 1684 The Bedroom, 1658/1660

http://www.nga.gov/cgi-bin/pinfo?Object=1175+0+none

John Singleton Copley American, 1738 - 1815 The Death of the Earl of Chatham, 1779

http://www.nga.gov/collection/gallery/gg61/gg61-34063.0.html

Overlapping of Forms

Overlapping of forms provides instant information to the viewer that one object is closer to the viewer than another.

In the image below, which object is closest to the viewer? How do you know?

Diminution of Size

As objects get farther away from the viewer, they get smaller and smaller and the space between them gets smaller and smaller.

Convergence of Parallel Lines

Lines which are parallel to each other but perpendicular to the horizon line, will converge at one point, called the vanishing point.

Lines which are parallel to each other but parallel to the horizon line will remain parallel.

Foreshortening

Lines perpendicular to the hoizon line appear to diminish in length as they are rotated away from the viewer.