© Taylor & Francis Group
© Taylor & Francis Group
SIMPLIFYING PERSPECTIVE Working In Perspective
© Taylor & Francis Group
How Perspective Works
Here’s our viewer looking at a simple box. While we just learned how to manage the viewer’s height, viewing angle and distance, we still need to discuss how to deal with objects and their vanishing points.
Vanishing points tell us where the receding parallel lines of an object converge on the horizon. We use them to describe how the sides of a form move back and away from the viewer.
From the top view, it’s easy to see how vanishing points work. If you were to draw lines from the station point that are parallel to the sides of your specific box, you’ll find your vanishing points as soon as these lines intersect the horizon line.
© Taylor & Francis Group
Important Things To Remember: • Vanishing points come off of the station point at 90 degrees. • If the box turns, the vanishing points move with it. • If the viewer moves closer or farther away from the picture plane, the vanishing points move in or out accordingly. Try it out! • These rules apply not only when looking down at everything, but also when drawing.
Start with the basic setup and add your vanishing points by drawing a 90 degree angle from the station point. The direction of your 90 degree angle determines the way that the box is turned for the viewer.
© Taylor & Francis Group
Draw the front edge of the box.
Take the top and bottom of the front edge to each vanishing point. We’ll turn them into the sides of the box.
© Taylor & Francis Group
Next we’ll figure out where we want the back of the box to be. Draw vertical lines as shown.
Continue by drawing lines from the top of our new vertical lines to each of the corresponding vanishing points as shown.
© Taylor & Francis Group
Draw through the form and you’re done.
This was a just a quick run through so we could use the ideas that we’ve talked about in the previous tutorials. Once you understand how this works, it’s easier to move forward with the many other things perspective has to offer. If you’ve ever struggled with accurately controlling scale, measuring, casting shadows or drawing reflections, perspective will help you get there. Having a sense of the mechanics of perspective also makes it easier to understand the many shortcuts available. A lot of these ideas can easily make their way into your sketching. You can find out about all of this and more in the Simplifying Perspective book.
© Taylor & Francis Group
For more information, visit: www.simplifyingperspective.com
© Robert Pastrana
SIMPLIFYING PERSPECTIVE Working In Perspective
© Taylor & Francis Group
How Perspective Works
Here’s our viewer looking at a simple box. While we just learned how to manage the viewer’s height, viewing angle and distance, we still need to discuss how to deal with objects and their vanishing points.
Vanishing points tell us where the receding parallel lines of an object converge on the horizon. We use them to describe how the sides of a form move back and away from the viewer.
From the top view, it’s easy to see how vanishing points work. If you were to draw lines from the station point that are parallel to the sides of your specific box, you’ll find your vanishing points as soon as these lines intersect the horizon line.
© Taylor & Francis Group
Important Things To Remember: • Vanishing points come off of the station point at 90 degrees. • If the box turns, the vanishing points move with it. • If the viewer moves closer or farther away from the picture plane, the vanishing points move in or out accordingly. Try it out! • These rules apply not only when looking down at everything, but also when drawing.
Start with the basic setup and add your vanishing points by drawing a 90 degree angle from the station point. The direction of your 90 degree angle determines the way that the box is turned for the viewer.
© Taylor & Francis Group
Draw the front edge of the box.
Take the top and bottom of the front edge to each vanishing point. We’ll turn them into the sides of the box.
© Taylor & Francis Group
Next we’ll figure out where we want the back of the box to be. Draw vertical lines as shown.
Continue by drawing lines from the top of our new vertical lines to each of the corresponding vanishing points as shown.
© Taylor & Francis Group
Draw through the form and you’re done.
This was a just a quick run through so we could use the ideas that we’ve talked about in the previous tutorials. Once you understand how this works, it’s easier to move forward with the many other things perspective has to offer. If you’ve ever struggled with accurately controlling scale, measuring, casting shadows or drawing reflections, perspective will help you get there. Having a sense of the mechanics of perspective also makes it easier to understand the many shortcuts available. A lot of these ideas can easily make their way into your sketching. You can find out about all of this and more in the Simplifying Perspective book.
© Taylor & Francis Group
For more information, visit: www.simplifyingperspective.com
© Robert Pastrana
