Perspective Grid

Manual
03. November 2009
Dear reader,

I would like to thank you for showing

interest in our perspective grids.
In this manual we will show you how to
use the perspective grid.
You can also find further information on
our internetsite:
www.perspektivraster.de (german)
www.perspectivegrid.com (english)

If you would like to learn the advanced
application of this system, I would gladly
welcome you to one of my seminars.
Or check our my book “Zeichnen in der
Gartengestaltung”.

Have fun drawing!

Daniel Nies

A comprehensive book about gra-

phics for garden designers:

„Zeichnen in der Gartengestaltung“

l Easy to follow, with step-by-step explanations

l More than a thousand images
l Additional tutorials on the website.

To succeed in the business of garden planning

and design, advanced drawing skills are
required—even in the modern age of CAD and
Photoshop!
Using the right materials and appropriate
tools are fundamental requirements to impress
clients with successful technical and dynamic
drawings.
The book starts with a detailed introduction
to basic drawing and advances to important
Zeichnen in der Gartengestaltung techniques such as ground plans and three-
Daniel Nies. 2008. 320 pages, 1287
dimensional drawing, also using modern digital
mostly colored illustrations, hardcover,
media.
ISBN 978-3-8001-4836-3. € 69,90 [D]
Additionally, this book includes exclusive access
The book covers the topics plan graphics
to further tutorials and examples online!
and perspective drawing. In German

language.
Publisher Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart.


The Perspective Grid System

Perspective Grid Set, Metric

The metric perspective grids are very
useful for producing one-point and two-
point perspectives, both at eye level and
bird’s-eye. The durable set consists of
three thick (200 gsm) paper sheets, each
printed on both sides with the format of
approx. 48 x 68 cm, plastic coated on both
sides. The grids are labeled in both
German and English.

The set consists of

• Manual
A manual in English which explains how
to use the grids (30 pages).
You can download the free coloured
document at www.perspectivegrid.com.

• Sheet 1 One-point perspective

horizon at 1.5 & 8 meters on one side, and
horizon at 4 & 16 meters on the other
side.

• Sheet 2 Two-point perspective

horizon at 1.5 & 8 meters on one side, and
horizon at 4 & 16 meters on the other
side.

• Sheet 3 Two-point perspective

(Mirror image of the above)
horizon at 1.5 & 8 meters on one side, and
horizon at 4 & 16 meters on the other
side. Zeichenwerk Daniel Nies
Elmer-Fryar-Ring 84
• 6 field-of-vision diagrams D- 86391 Stadtbergen
printed on DIN A3 transparency. You place Tel 0049- (0)821 / 158175
these diagrams on your plan and it makes it Fax 0049- (0)821 / 158469
easier to transfer the plan onto the E-Mail [email protected]
perspective grid. The field-of-vision diagrams www.zeichenwerk.de
can also be found in the download section in www.perspektivraster.de
case you misplace yours. www.perspectivegrid.com


Overview

Perspective grid -
Sheet 1

One-point perspective (frontside)

Perspektive grid No. 1, Horizon 1,50 m
Perspektive grid No. 2, Horizon 8,00 m

Drawing examples

Perspective grid No. 1

Horizon 1,50 m
Transferring ground planes:
Outline or Field-of-Vision technique.
Use the field of vision diagram No. 1 to
apply the FoV-technique.

You can find a large Din A3

version of this grid in the book
called: one-point perspective
Horizon 1,50m.

Perspective grid No. 2

Horizon 8,00 m
Transferring ground planes:
Outline or Field-of-Vision technique.
Use the field of vision diagram No. 2 to
apply the FoV-technique.

You can find a large Din A3

version of this grid in the book
called: one-point perspective
Horizon 8,00m.

One-point perspective (backside)

Perspective grid No. 3 Horizon 4,00 m
Perspective grid No. 4 Horizon 16,00 m

Drawing examples

Perspective grid No. 3

Horizon 4,00 m
Transferring ground planes:
Outline or Field-of-Vision technique.
Use the Field-of-Vision diagram No. 3 to
apply the FoV-technique.

Perspective grid No. 4

Horizon 16,00 m
Transferring ground planes:
The outline technique is the easiest
method in this case.

Using the FoV-technique would lead to

high distortion at this horizon height.

That‘s why there isn‘t a Field-of-Vision
diagram No. 4.


 Perspective grid
Sheet 2

Two point perspective (frontside)

Perspective grid No. 5, Horizon 1,50 m
Perspective grid No. 6, Horizon 8,00 m

Drawing examples

Perspective grid No. 5

Horizon 1,50 m
Transferring ground planes:
Outline or Field-of-Vision technique.
Use the Field-of-Vision diagram No. 5 to
apply the FoV-technique.

You can find a large Din A3

version of this grid in the book
called: one-point perspective
Horizon 1,50m.

Perspective grid No. 6

Horizon 8,00 m
Transferring ground planes:
Outline or Field-of-Vision technique.
Use the Field-of-Vision diagram No. 6 to
apply the FoV-technique.

You can find a large Din A3

version of this grid in the book
called: one-point perspective
Horizon 8,00m.


 Two-point perspective (backside)
Perspective grid No. 7 Horizon 4,00 m
Perspective grid No. 8 Horizon 16,00 m

Drawing examples

Perspective grid No. 7

Horizon 4,00 m
Transferring ground planes:
Outline or Field-of-Vision technique.
Use the Field-of-Vision diagram No. 7 to
apply the FoV-technique.

Perspective grid No. 8

Horizon 16,00 m
Transferring ground planes:
The outline technique is the easiest
method in this case.

Using the FoV-technique would lead to

high distortion at this horizon height.

That‘s why there isn‘t a Field-of-Vision
diagram No. 8.


 Perspective grid
Sheet 3

Two-point perspective
(Front, sheet 2 mirrored)
Perspective grid No. 9, Horizon 1,50 m
Perspective grid No. 10, Horizon 8,00 m

This mirrored perspective grid has been

added with the third print run.
The viewers angle is different to the angle
on sheet 2.
This gives you a helpful new viewing point.

Drawing examples

Perspective grid No. 9

Horizon 1,50 m
Transferring ground planes:
Outline or Field-of-Vision technique.
Use the Field-of-Vision diagram No. 9 to
apply the FoV-technique.

Perspective grid No. 10

Horizon 8,00 m
Transferring ground planes:
Outline or Field-of-Vision technique.
Use the fField-of-Vision diagram No.10 to
apply the FoV-technique.


 Two-point perspective
(Back, sheet 2 mirrored)
Perspective grid No. 11 Horizon 4,00 m
Perspective grid No. 12 Horizon 16,00 m

Drawing examples

Perspective grid No. 11

Horizon 4,00 m
Transferring ground planes:
Outline or Field-of-Vision technique.
Use the Field-of-Vision diagram No. 11 to
apply the FoV-technique.

Perspective grid No. 12

Horizon 16,00 m
Transferring ground planes:
The outline technique is the easiest
method in this case.

Using the FoV-technique would lead to

high distortion at this horizon height.

That‘s why there isn‘t a Field-of-Vision
diagram No. 12.


 One-point perspective -
using the Vertical measuring line
perspective grid Heights can be
deduced by using the
vertical measuring
Perspective grid No. 1 line. Further informa-
tion on page 186.
Horizon 1,50 m

Perspective grids appear three-dimensional

and are a great aid to construct perspec-
Horizon 1,50m
tives.

Each grid is
1,00m x 1,00m
Preparations in size.
First you must tape the grid to your draw-
ing table. Once you have done that, lay a
sheet of transparent paper over the grid
and tape the corners to the table. Even 1,00 m
light paper [40g/m²] will do the job. 1,00 m
How to construct perspectives with this
system will be described on the following 1,00 m
pages.
1,00 m

1,00 m

The grid interval narrows

down the closer it gets to the
vanishing point. Close to the
horizon the interval changes
to 10,00m.

10
 To construct an object in the bird‘s eye
view, use the grid upside down.
Now the horizon height is 8,00m.
The dashed line indicates the
field of vision limit.
Objects should be drawn
within this border to appear
realistic.

Vanishing Point (VP)

10,oo m

The interval between the

horizontal lines stays
unchanged.
1,00 m 1,00 m 1,00 m

Measuring Point (MP) The measuring point is a very helpful

item. You can see it in the foreground. It
is mainly used when transferring ground
plans to the grid. This will be explained
more explicitly in the Chapter »Transfer-
ring ground plans« on page 188.
This person dis-
plays the viewer.

11
 Estimating heights
The proportional estimation
In this image you can see a wooden puppet that is about
1,60 metres tall. Consequently it is a bit smaller than an Horizon height 1,50 m
average European citizen (1,75m).

When drawing in perspective, we use the horizon of

1,50m, because it is much easier to employ than 1,60m.

2xh

Here the viewer is looking at four verticals with different

height levels. The distance from the base to the horizon is
exactly 1,50m.
Any other distance can easily be deduced by this height.
h
Additionally the height levels in perspective can be deter-
mined with this method.

h:2
h:3

0,50 0,75 1,50 3,00

Even though the objects all have the same height in

reality, they are drawn smaller the closer they are to the
horizon.
The main fact is that they all reach the horizon.

H VP H 1,50 m

12
Objects with a height of 0,50m are always 1/3 of
the distance from the base to the horizon.

H 1,50 m VP

Distances with a height of are always 1/2 of the

length from the base to the horizon.

H 1,50 m VP

Distances with a height of 3,00m are twice the

length from the base to the horizon.

H 1,50 m VP

13
 Cuboids and horizontal areas

In the following constructing example we will be using the

one-point perspective grid with eye-level at 1,50m.

1. Draw the ground plan

H 1,50 m Draw a 2,00m x 2,00m square into the
VP
perspective grid.

2. Draw the verticals

Now draw the vertical lines. Don‘t worry
about their length - just draw them high.
VP H 1,50 m

3. Estimate the height of the object

Divide the length from the base to the
horizon by two to receive the height of
VP H 1,50 m 0,75m.

+ 0,75

4. Close the top

Before closing the object, you should take a
look at the ground plan. If the bottom line is
VP H 1,50 m parallel to the horizon, it must stay parallel
when projected to the top edge.

14
 The left bottom side leads to the vanishing
point - so the top has to do the same.

VP H 1,50 m

Repeat this method on the right and back side

to finish the object.

VP H 1,50 m

5. Render the object

To keep a good overview, the object should be
coloured.
VP H 1,50 m
This is very helpful when working with
complicated forms.

15
 Compiling cuboids

You can arrange various blocks using the

method described in the previous pages.

+ 4,50

+ 3,00

Horizon 1,50 m + 1,50 VP

+ 1,00

+ 0,75

+ 0,50

Projected lign of sight

= Centre of Vision

Perspective grid No. 1

Horizon 1,50 m

16
When drawing a bird‘s eye view with 8,00m
horizon, construct the blocks just like when
drawing with the horizon at 1,50m.

To obtain the height in bird’s eye view:

2,00m: 1/4 of the distance from base to

horizon
4,00m: 1/2 of the distance from base to
horizon
16,00m: twice the distance from base to
horizon
+ 16,00

VP Horizon 8,00 m

+ 4,00

+ 2,00

Perspective grid No. 2

Horizon 8,00 m

17
 Two-point perspective

Perspective grid No. 5
Horizon 1,50 m

1. Horizontal areas and cuboids

To construct horizontal areas and cuboids in
the two-point perspective, just follow the
same steps as in the one point perspective.
Whereas the lines are drawn towards the
respective vanishing points (VP1, VP2)

VP 1 Horizon 1,50 m VP 2

2. Draw the verticals and estimate

the height
To construct the height of an object, draw
vertical reference lines at each corner. These
will be useful to find the right height.

This example uses 0,75m, half the distance

from base to horizon.

FP 1 Horizont 1,50 m FP 2

+0,75

18
3. Close the top
Once you have drawn the height, connect the
edge points towards the vanishing points.

+4,50

+3,00

+1,50

+1,00

+0,75

±0,00

As shown in this example, this

method also works for blocks with
different heights.

19
 Transferring garden plans

As explained previously, the perspective grid consists of a

raster with one metre increment. It is recommended to
employ a ground plan with the scale of M 1:100.

There are different possibilities how to transfer garden

ground plans into the perspective grid:
The outline technique, and the field of vision technique

Field of Vision
We are able to sense a visual array of about 180°. You can
easily test this by stretching your arms to the left and right
while shaking them and looking forward. You should be
60° Field of vision
able to see your arms moving, nevertheless the form ap-
pears distorted and unrealistic. Lign of sight

Objects appear
realistic here.

Objects appear
distorted and
unrealistic here.

The 60° Field of Vision 60° Field of vision

Consequently we should stay in an array of 60° to make
Lign of sight
our drawings dynamic and realistic.
Objects appear
realistic here

Objects appear
distorted and
unrealistic here.

20
Objects and rooms in perspective that are beyond the FoV
appear distorted and oversized.

So we should stay in the array of 60° to make our

drawings stay realistic.

60° Field of Vision

Within the Field of Vision circle and Out of range the object
sphere appear realistic. appears unreal and distorted.

21
 The Outline Technique

1. Construct a metre grid

First draw a rectangular (or square) outline on transpar-
ent paper. Set the metre grid to a scale of M 1:100. The
width shouldn‘t exceed 10,00m, otherwise the ground
plan wouldn‘t fit into the field of vision. This example uses
a 8,00m x 8,00m grid.
Place this outline on to your ground plan (scaled 1:100).
Make sure the important objects are in the grid.

This technique can be used in the one-point as in the

two-point perspective.

2. Put the ground plan

into perspective
H 1,50 m VP
Now transfer your outline into
the perspective grid. Make sure
the area starts in the
foreground, even if you cross
the field of vision line. This
way the drawing seems very
three-dimensional.

Next draw the details of each

H 1,50 m VP
metre square from the plan
view into the corresponding
perspective grid square.
Tip: First draw the entire
ground plan, before projecting
the heights.

3. Set the heights

Now project the height of built
H 1,50 m VP
objects (in this example only
the left wall).
It‘s advisable to do this on an
extra sheet of transparent
paper.

22
4. Develop the softscape
Use a further sheet of transparent paper to sketch and
develop the softscape. Try out different variations of
planting designs each on another layer of transparent
paper.

Now refine your sketch step by step...

5. Complete the rendering

Draw you main concept on a final layer of
paper.

Tip
The Outline Technique is quick and easy.
Objects beyond the field of vision should
only be drawn as a »hint« to avoid distortion,
making the drawing appear more realistic
and vivid.

23
 Field-of-Vision (FoV) Technique
One-point perspective
The FoV Diagram approximately shows the undistorted area you
will see in perspective (within the 60° circle). It shows where the
viewer is standing and his Line-of-Sight at a scale of M 1:100.

1. Chose your view

To draw the perspective using this technique you need:

MV - Ground plan of your garden design (M 1:100)
- Field-of-Vision Diagram No. 1. ( M 1:100)
- Perspective grid No. 1 Horizon 1,50m

Place the diagram over the ground plan and chose the
array you would like to be displayed in perspective.

MP When choosing your array you should try to keep the

line of sight and the grid parallel and/or right angled
to the edges in you plan.
It‘s best to set the station point on the plan site itself to
make the perspective appear more realistic and
comprehensible.

On the diagram you see the measuring point (MP) and

the Vertical-Measuring-Line (MV).

2. Mark the plan

Use the Line-of-Sight as a baseline from which
2,20 important sectors of your ground plan are marked.
1,00 The Measuring Point (MP) is now the zero-point of the
8,00
baseline.

3,40 4,40
4,0o 1,00 2,30 Tip
The scale of the ground plan has to be the
same as the scale as the FoV diagram.
MP 0,00 M 1:100 works best.

If the plan is scaled at M 1:200 the FoV

diagram has to be re-sized to 50%.

Ground plans scaled at M 1:50 should be re-

sized to M 1:100.

24
Careful!
Avoid placing the Line-of-Sight over long Try to lay the FoV diagram parallel to edges
edges. in your ground plan. If you don‘t, you will
They appear strange in perspective, since have a hard time transferring the plan to
they simply look like vertical lines. perspective (see example).

3. Transfer the ground plan

Next the important sectors of the ground
plan are transferred into the perspective
H 1,50 m VP grid.

To do this draw the Line-of-sight through

2,20 1,00
the MP which is marked both in the FoV
3,40 1,00 2,30 4,40 diagram as in the perspective grid.

MP Transfer the measurements of the ground
plan to the perspective grid.

4. Finalise the ground plan

Before projecting the heights, the ground
plan should be completely transferred into
H 1,50 m VP the perspective grid.

If you compare the area in the Field-of-

Vision (perspective) to the Field-of-Vision
area in your ground plan you will find the
result is very accurate!
This system also works well in the bird‘s
eye view, although it is less precise.

25
 5. Construct built objects
Use a fresh sheet of transparent paper to construct built objects and
insert outdoor furniture and other items. Draw each on separate
sheets of paper if you want to stay on the safe side.

You can also insert graphical effects like reflections in the pool to
your drawing.

FP H 1,50 m

6. Develop the softscape

Now design the softscape on another sheet of transparent paper.

26
7. Do the rendering
Last but not least emboss your project
graphically.

27
 Field-of-Vision (FoV) Technique
Two-point perspective
Horizon 1,50m

1. Chose your view

To draw the perspective using this technique
you need:

- Ground plan of your garden design
(M 1:100) FoV area
- Field-of-Vision Diagram No. 5. ( M 1:100)
- Perspective grid No. 5 Horizon 1,50m

Place the FoV Diagram No. 5, Horizon 1,50m

over your ground plan to chose your area.
Like before try to obey the grid rules and use
the scale M 1:100.
MP
The following steps are the same as in the distorted area
one-point perspective.

Viewpoint

2. Transfer the ground plan

Transfer your ground plan into the per-
spective grid. Use the measuring point
(MP) like in the one-point perspective.

VP Horizon 1,50m

FoV area

MP distorted area

28
Field-of-Vision (FoV) Technique
Two-point perspective
Horizon 8,00m (Bird’s eye view)

1. Chose your view FoV area

To draw the perspective in the
bird‘s eye view you need:

- Ground plan of your garden

design (M 1:100)
- Field-of-Vision Diagram No. 6
(M 1:100) MP
- Perspective grid No. 6 Horizon
8,00m

Lay the FoV diagram over the

ground plan. Try to get all the distorted area
important objects into the FoV
area!

Viewpoint

Horizon 8,0 m VP 2. Transfer the ground plan

Transfer your ground plan into the
perspective grid. Use the measuring
point (MP) like in the one-point
perspective.
FoV area

Some sectors of the ground plan are

now in the distorted area, but still
you should draw them. When using
the bird‘s eye view the FoV dia-
MP grams are not as accurate as at eye-
level 1,50m.

distorted area

29
 Seminars

Learn to draw by hand with a system!

Despite the dominance of digital media,
hand-drawn plans have lost none of
their charm. Even in the beginning
phase of a draft, freehand sketches
convey the concept of the design in an
impressive and time-saving manner.

Unique course concept—Students

look over the instructor’s shoulder!

A videocamera and projector display

each individual step through to the
completed picture on a large projection
screen. From their workstations, all the
participants can then follow and
directly transfer what’s shown. Even the
smallest details are recognizable
through zoom effects.

Visit www.zeichenwerk.de for more
information.

Instructor
Daniel Nies earned his bachelors degree
in Landscape Design at Colorado State
University, USA. In 1991 he returned to
Germany where he worked as a desi-
gner in a Landscape architectural firm
for five years. During this time he
already offered graphic workshops.

1995 he started his own business,

ZEICHENWERK, which specializes on
drawing seminars. Since then
thousands of students and professionals
attended the seminars and improved
their drawing skills.

In september 2008 his first book

„Zeichnen in der Gartengestaltung“,
Ulmer-Verlag, Stuttgart got published.

30
 Impressum

Skript und Perspektivraster

All rights reserved. No part of this publica-
tion may be reproduced in any form or by
any means -- graphic, electronic, or
mechanical, including photocopying,
recording, taping, or information storage
and retrieval systems. April 2005. Third
version.

© Zeichenwerk, Daniel Nies

Elmer-Fryar-Ring 84
D- 86391 Stadtbergen
Tel 0049- (0)821 / 158175
Fax 0049- (0)821 / 158469
E-Mail [email protected]
www.zeichenwerk.de
www.perspektivraster.de
www.perspectivegrid.com

31
Daniel Nies
Elmer-Fryar-Ring 84
D- 86391 Stadtbergen
Tel 0049- (0)821 / 158175
Fax 0049- (0)821 / 158469
E-Mail [email protected]
www.zeichenwerk.de
www.perspektivraster.de
www.perspectivegrid.com