Lesson 10 - One-Point Perspective

Perspective is a technique for representing three-dimensional space on a flat surface. Many artists around the world have employed various techniques for portraying depth. However, it wasn't until the Renaissance that artists invented a mathematical system to show depth logically and consistently. The system of linear perspective gave artists a powerful new tool for creating realistic art.

Before you start, I'd like you to check out the site, Drawing in One-Point Perspective by Harold Olejarz. Please go completely through the tutorial.

Please check out this Web site, Human Architecture to Architectural Structure. When done with sections 1 through V, take the quiz below. I would highly recommend printing out the Web site BEFORE taking the quiz...

Go to History in Perspective quiz

Linear perspective is based on the way the human eye sees the world—objects which are closer appear larger, and more distant objects appear smaller. To create this illusion of space, the artist establishes a vanishing point on the horizon line. Objects are drawn using orthogonal lines which lead to the vanishing point(s). In one-point perspective, the forms are seen face on and are drawn to a single vanishing point. Objects seen at an angle would be drawn with two-point perspective using two vanishing points. In this lesson, we'll focus on one-point perspective.

Bedroom of the Artist - Van Gogh	School of Athens - Raphael	Another World - M.C. Escher
Van Gogh, 1889. Scan by Mark Harden. Artchive	Raphael, 1510-11. Scan by Mark Harden. Artchive	MC Escher, 1947. (c) 2002 Cordon Art - Holland. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

In one-point perspective, you're usually looking into a room, through a corridor, etc. Because you are looking at something "face on," there will be only one vanishing point. Raphael, in his School of Athens, was one of the first Renaissance artists to figure this out. I've inserted orthogonal lines to show you where the vanishing point is. All vertical lines are perpendicular to the bottom edge of the picture. Along with orthogonal and horizontal lines, they make up a one-point perspective drawing.

Assignment: One-Point Perspective

Part 1
1.	Place paper in landscape view.
2.	Draw a horizontal line with your ruler lengthwise (extremely lightly) Note: All of my whisper lines will be in the form of a dashed line. This is called your horizon line, where the land meets the atmosphere.
3.	Put a dot in the middle of this line. This is called the vanishing point. All receding lines point to this dot. These receding lines are called orthogonal lines.
4.	On the left side of your paper, draw three squares. One above the horizon line, one below, and one underneath.
5.	Rule #1: You never draw an orthogonal line that goes through an object (unless that object is transparent). So from each corner of the rectangles, you're going to draw a whisper line leading to the vanishing point.
6.	Next, you take your ruler and match it up to one of the sides of your boxes.
7.	Slide it back along the orthogonal lines and make another line.
8.	Do the same with the other side.
9.	Darken your whisper lines between the two sets of lines.
10.	Repeat with the other squares. Try to make one square really long and the other really short. Notice that you'll only see one side of the square that is on the horizon line.
11.	Now erase your whisper lines.
12.	To find the center of these shapes, you draw an X as shown. You might need to find the center if you were drawing windows or making letters.
13.	To make signs with letters on them, you need to make sure they are in perspective also. The letters should get smaller as they go back.
14.	Make sure all of your vertical lines (like on my R and T) are straight up and down. Your horizontal lines should be in perspective (pointed at your vanishing point). Like the A and top of the T.
15.	Practice making creative boxes, such as cereal boxes, dice, trains, presents, etc. See what overlapping can do. Make 5 boxes above the horizon line, 5 below. and 5 on the horizon line.
Part 2
Assignment 2: On another piece of paper, after drawing your horizon line and vanishing point, I'd like you to draw each of the following shapes 3 times (one above the horizon line, one on, and one below).
1.	Draw a circle above, on, and below the horizon line.
2.	With rounded objects, I always rest one part of my ruler on the vanishing point and then slide the ruler down until it just touches the rounded object. Then you draw your orthogonal line from here.
3.	After you do this with both sides, you then make a parallel shape as shown. The shape should mimic exactly what the original line is doing. I sometimes go over the original line a couple of times with my pencil to get the feel of the shape before doing the second line.
4.	Fill in the whisper lines between the two lines then erase your whisper lines.
5.	Finish the other two shapes.
6.	Draw a triangle above, on, and below the horizon line.
7.	Line up your ruler with one of the sides.
8.	Slide it back along the orthogonals so that it's perfectly parallel with your original line.
9.	Connect the whisper lines between the lines and fill in your shape. Finish the other two.
10.	Geometric shape (shape with sharp edges)
11.	Connect each sharp edge to the vanishing point. Notice that orthogonal lines don't go through your shape (unless it's a transparent shape).
12.	Just like the triangle, you find your edge.
13.	Slide it back and make your line.
14.	Connect the two sets of lines.
15.	Biomorphic shape (shape with rounded edges)
16.	I treat biomorphic shapes just like circles. Using your vanishing point, pivot your ruler until it just brushes the side of your shape. Draw your orthogonal line from this point.
17.	Continue with the other sides.
18.	Mimic the shape of the object.
19.	Shade if you wish.
You are to turn in two (2) assignments for this section. One with your creative boxes above, on, and below the horizon line. The other with 3 other shapes above, on, and below the vanishing point (one shape must be geometric, one biomorphic). Make sure you read through all of the criteria carefully before starting your final drafts. I do not want to see your practice sheets as your final drafts.

Extra Credit!

Draw a one-point perspective room with at least five (5) objects and lots of detail. Review Harold Olejarz's One-Point Perspective if you need some more pointers.

You will be graded on a 1-6 scale on the following:

• 2 creative boxes above the horizon line in accurate one-point perspective
• 2 creative boxes on the horizon line in accurate one-point perspective
• 2 creative boxes below the horizon line in accurate one-point perspective
• 3 other shapes above the horizon line in accurate one-point perspective (one geometric, one biomorphic)
• 3 other shapes on the horizon line in accurate one-point perspective (one geometric, one biomorphic)
• 3 other shapes below the horizon line in accurate one-point perspective (one geometric, one biomorphic)
• All of your vertical lines are perpendicular to the bottom of the page
• All of your orthogonal lines recede to the vanishing point
• Show at least 3 instances of overlapping
• Show 3 sides of the paper are touched

TURNING WORK IN? You may scan your work, use a digital camera, or use snail mail (send to the address on the contact page). Use the assignment link below to upload your files; if you're sending your work by snail mail, use the assignment link below to tell me WHEN you sent it. (If you're not sure how to upload or send files by snail mail, review the Procedures page.)

Submit your work here.

Submit EXTRA CREDIT work here.

Excellent examples will be posted with permission of the artist.

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