Linear Perspective in Drawing

In drawing a picture, perspective is used to create a realistic sense of depth. One type of perspective used in art is linear perspective, defined as "the use of converging lines and the manipulation of the size and placement of elements within a composition to crate the illusion of depth and distance" (Willenbrink 32). Linear perspective employs the use of horizon lines, vanishing points, and vantage points. A horizon line is the farthest point of land an eye can reach and is also where the land or water ends and the sky begins. Typically located on the horizon, vanishing points are locations where parallel lines appear to meet. Lastly, a vantage point is the location from where the observer seems to be when looking at a picture.

This sketch is an example of one-point perspective, meaning that there is only one vanishing point (Willenbrink 34). The floorboards and all lines on the same axis converge at the one vanishing point. The other two axes are directly horizontal and vertical.

To make this sketch, I started by drawing the horizon and vanishing point. I then drew out the doorway in the center. To create the walls and floor, I started at the vanishing point and drew lines outward. Since the picture frame, box, and drawers in this scene are all rectangular prisms, I created them by first drawing the lines that merge at the vantage point and then by connecting those lines with horizontal and vertical ones.

Have you used perspective in your drawings? How do you create perspective in your drawings?

Willenbrink, Mark, and Mary Willenbrink. Drawing for the Absolute Beginner. Cincinnati, Ohio: North Light, 2006. Print.