Perspective - How to Draw Perspective

n understanding of perspective drawing is important no matter what subject you choose. It's easier than you think. Just start at the beginning, follow the examples, then progress to the next lesson when you are comfortable. Don't be afraid to experiment with perspective drawing. Your eyes will tell you when something looks right or wrong. Have fun!

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1. Simple Boxes in One Point Perspective

H South, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Learning to draw simple boxes in one point perspective is a great introduction to 'three d' perspective drawing. Because the shapes are simple, you can easily see if you've made a mistake. Follow along with this lesson to draw our own three-d boxes using one point linear perspective.

2.Draw Boxes in Two Point Perspective

To really have fun with perspective drawing, you need two vanishing points. Now you can draw cool 3D effects! It's a little more complex than one point perspective, because you have to make sure that you draw your vanishing lines to the right vanishing point. But once you get the idea, it's a breeze - you barely have to give it a second thought.

3. Find the Center of a Square or Rectangle in Perspective

H South, licensed to About.com, Inc.

It's a very simple process, using diagonals to locate the center of a square or rectangle in perspective. From there, you can use this point to divide the shape into half or four, or use the center points to place the vertex of a roofline or column. Works in one or two point perspective.

4. Draw a Pyramid in Perspective

H South, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Now you know how to draw boxes and find the center of their faces in perspective, you can learn to draw a pyramid. Follow the steps and learn to draw a 3D pyramid in one point and two point perspective. You could try drawing two from the same base - one pointing up, one down, to draw a crystal.

5. Draw a Brick Wall in Perspective

H South, licensed to About.com, Inc.

Use your knowledge of perspective drawing to create a complex surface. Combine the basic methods of linear perspective and dividing planes to draw a detailed brick wall with accurate perspective.

6. Draw Atmospheric or Aerial Perspective

S. Tschantz, licensed to About.com, Inc.

All of the perspective we've done so far has been Linear Perspective. However another form of perspective drawing - Atmospheric or Aerial perspective - is an important addition to your drawing skills 'toolbox'. Atmospheric perspective is most fully used by landscape artists, but the principles involved are also useful in portraiture and still life.