G6+MYP1+-+Tech+Drawing

Fantasy Buildings in One and Two-point Perspective

Many artists are very interested in making two-dimensional artworks look three-dimensional. During the Renaissance, artists used mathematics and close observation to invent "linear perspective"- a technique that helps artists make things look three dimensional. This lesson will teach the basics of drawing forms in two-point perspective. You can then transform your drawings into fantasy buildings. This lesson you will also plan "City Streets in One- Point Perspective" which covers much of the same content but teaches one-point perspective techniques.

Vocabulary • linear perspective • one-point perspective • two-point perspective • horizon line • vanishing point • orthogonal lines • horizontal, vertical, diagonal lines

Follow the step by step instructions below to create your drawings...



Linear 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. 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. Note, artwork with two- point perspective often has vanishing points "off the page".