instructables

How to Draw - Basic Linear Perspective

by randofo

In this rst installment of my ongoing series of "How and dare follow me to the next step.
to Draw" Instructables, I will show you how to create
real-looking three dimensional shapes. * Newsprint is ne to start. As you get better, you will
want to invest in some quality drawing paper.
Linear Perspective is the most basic form of
perspective in which all objects with faces parallel to (Also note that some of the links on this page contain
the horizon, appear to converge in the distance at a Amazon a liate links. This does not change the price
single point on the horizon (the vanishing point). of any of the items for sale. However, I earn a small
commission if you click on any of those links and buy
To learn what on Earth this possibly means, grab anything. I reinvest this money into materials and
yourself : tools for future projects. If you would like an alternate
suggestion for a supplier of any of the parts, please
- a few sheets of 18" x 24" paper * let me know.)
- a pencil
- a straight metal ruler
- a white mars plastic eraser

1. So easy, I can even do it when I'm thirteen. In fact, I could do it better when
I was thirteen.

Step 1: Vanishing Horizons.

How to Draw - Basic Linear Perspective: Page 1
If you were to stand on a plane and look out into the Now, if you were to stare straight ahead at the
distance, the imaginary line that demarcates between horizon, the point on the horizon directly in front of
the Earth and the sky is considered the horizon. For you would be considered the vanishing point. It's
argument's sake, the horizon is a straight line (even called the vanishing point since all objects seem to
though in actual space it is slightly curved). vanish towards it as they go back into the distance.

Step 2: A Single Point. a Single Perspective.

How to Draw - Basic Linear Perspective: Page 2

One-point perspective is marked by the fact that all have two horizontal lines parallel to the horizon. In
objects seem to converge towards one solitary point fact, everything viewed in this perspective must have
on the horizon. In order for all objects to converge at horizontal lines parallel to the horizon.
a single point, their closest face has to appear to be
parallel to horizon. If horizontal lines are no longer parallel, you have just
gained a whole new perspective (but lets not worry
In other words, if there was a cube between you and about that for now).
the horizon, the face of the cube closest to you would

Step 3: Your Turn.

Turn your paper sideways (landscape) and measure 9" Your center point should fall right in the center of the
up on each side and make a mark. Connect both line you have just drawn. Enlarge this point and label
marks with a line. You should have just successfully it V.P. for vanishing point.
bisected your paper.
Erase the diagonal lines, but leave the horizontal line
Next, you want to nd the midpoint on the sheet of since that is now your horizon.
paper.
You should be now left with a horizon with a
The easiest way to nd the midpoint is to connect vanishing point centered on it.
each opposite corner on the sheet of paper. Where the
two lines converge is the center point (the center The vanishing point must always be located on the
point of any parallelogram - rectangle, square - can horizon!
be found this way).

How to Draw - Basic Linear Perspective: Page 3

 2 1
1

1. horizon 1. You draw a straight horizontal line by measuring two vertical points on
2. Vanishing Point each side of the paper from the bottom.

1. a horizontal horizon 1. Drawing two lines from corner to corner should intersect dead center in
the middle of your paper on the horizon line. Where they form an "X" is
your vanishing point.

Step 4: L7 Square

Measure 3" from the left edge and make a mark above and below the horizon. Repeat this step now with a
measurement of 5".

Connect each set of points with a vertical line so that you have two vertical parallel lines.

Now measure 1" up from the horizon and make a mark on both lines and then measure 1" down from the horizon
line and do the same.

How to Draw - Basic Linear Perspective: Page 4

Connect both new sets of dots to form a square.

1. Square 1. Best way to draw a vertical line is to measure to horizontal points.

1. Two vertical lines. 1. Best way to draw a horizontal line perpendicular to the horizon is to
measure to vertical points from the horizon.

How to Draw - Basic Linear Perspective: Page 5

 1

1. A square. Erase all extra lines.

Step 5: The Thirrrrrd Diiiimension!

Right now you should have a two-dimensional box. To vanishing point. Make a small mark and measure how
make this book look three-dimensional, it has to be far it is from the left edge of the paper.
appear to have depth.
Once you know the distance, move your ruler
And of course, anything with depth must appear to vertically up or down from this point and make
travel back towards the vanishing point. another dot.

To give your box depth trace the top and bottom Connect these two dots and extend the vertical line to
right-edges back towards the vanishing point (where fully intersects diagonal lines that you have just
they should converge). drawn.

You now have a mighty long box. You're probably You should be left with something that resembles a
going to want a box that looks a little more three-dimensional box. Erase all lines until you are left
reasonable. with just a box sitting on the horizon (with a
vanishing point).
On one the lines you just drew, pick a point that is
about half-way between the original square and the

How to Draw - Basic Linear Perspective: Page 6

 1

2 1

1. A box! 1. Diagonal lines from the two right corners to the vanishing point.
2. You don't need diagonal lines from here since they would have to be
drawn across the face of the cube. This means that any new surfaces that
these lines might create would be hidden by the already existing surfaces.

1. I made a point half way between the square and vanishing point and 1. And then I made another point and drew a vertical line. Now I'm able to
then measured the distance from the edge of the paper. erase away all the extra lines until I'm left with a box. Yay!

Step 6: In Good Company

How to Draw - Basic Linear Perspective: Page 7

Now would be a good time to draw four more rectangle should be above or below the horizon and
rectangles on your sheet of paper using the method positioned so that it is also above or below the
we used to make the rst one in "Step 4". vanishing point. The last rectangle should be on the
horizon line, but on the opposite side of the vanishing
One rectangle should be above the horizon line (to point as the rst box. Don't allow any of the
the right or left of the vanashing point). One rectangles to intersect.
rectangle should be below the horizon line (to the
right or left of the vanashing point). The third

2
1

1. Directly above the vanishing point.

2. Above the horizon and to the right of the vanishing point.
3. On the horizon and to the right of the vanishing point.
4. Below the horizon and to the right of the vanishing point.

Step 7: A Perspective on Boxing

How to Draw - Basic Linear Perspective: Page 8

Place your ruler on the vanishing point and connect to the diagonal that has been drawn from the top
lines to all of the corners of the rectangles you just corner of the square. You should now have something
drew that don't require drawing a line over the face of that looks like a box. Erase all excess lines until you
the rectangle (see secondary image). If done correctly, have a clean box.
you should have just drawn 10 diagonal lines.
Now, with the rectangle below the horizon, you are
Starting with the rectangle above both the horizon going to do similarly. Create a horizontal connecting
and vanishing point, draw a horizontal line the diagonals coming o the top corners and then
connecting the diagonal lines. This should complete drop a vertical from this intersection to the line drawn
the box. Erase all unnecessary lines. from the bottom corner.

Next nd the rectangle that is also above the horizon The rectangle on the right should be completed in a
(but not above the vanishing point). Draw a horizontal similar manner to the one shown in "Step 5"
line between the diagonals projecting from the
bottom two corners and the vanishing point. At the You should now have 4 new three-dimensional boxes.
point where the right diagonal line meets the newly
created horizontal line, draw a vertical that connects

1. Lines to the vanishing point.

How to Draw - Basic Linear Perspective: Page 9

 1

1. Lines to the vanishing point from all visible faces (i.e. lines that can 1. One line to complete the box.
connect from a corner to the V.P. without passing over the inside of the
closest face).

1. The finished box. 1. A horizontal line to finish the bottom face.

How to Draw - Basic Linear Perspective: Page 10

 1 1

1. A vertical line to finish the side and close the box. 1. Another completed box.

1 1

1. Completing another box. 1. Another finished box.

1. One line to complete the last box.

How to Draw - Basic Linear Perspective: Page 11

Step 8: Demystifying the Horizon

Draw a 6th rectangle that contains the vanishing face and a top face)
point within it (see below).
5) Any box sitting in front of the vanishing point will
From the image below we can now assert a couple of only have one visible face. You will be unable to see
things. the top, bottom, left or right-faces since all vanishing
lines are hidden from view. (visible faces in total: 1 - a
1) All boxes at least have one visible face. This is the front face)
closest rectangular face to you, the viewer, and it is
parallel to to the horizon line. 6) Any box sitting directly above the vanishing point
(and horizon) will have 1 additional visible faces that
2) Any box sitting on the horizon line and is located to fade into the distance. This additional face is a
the left or right of the vanishing point will have 1 bottom-face. (visible faces in total: 2 - a front face and
additional visible face that fades into the distance. a bottom face)
This additional face is a side-ace. (visible faces in total:
2 - a front face and a side face) 7) Any box sitting directly below the vanishing point
(and horizon) will have 1 additional visible faces that
3) Any box sitting above the horizon line and is fade into the distance. This additional face is a top-
located to the left or right of the vanishing point will face. (visible faces in total: 2 - a front face and a top
have 2 additional visible faces that fade into the face)
distance. These additional faces are a side-face and a
bottom-face. (visible faces in total: 3 - a front face, a In strict one-point perspective, no solid object can be
side face and a bottom face) drawn and/or viewed outside the parameters just
listed.
4) Any box sitting below the horizon line and is
located to the left or right of the vanishing point will Using these guidelines, you can accurately (re)present
have 2 additional visible faces that fade into the any forward facing three-dimensional object that you
distance. These additional faces are a side-face and a may nd in life.
top-face. (visible faces in total: 3 - a front face, a side

How to Draw - Basic Linear Perspective: Page 12

Step 9: Moving On

However, before I let you loose into the world to draw Did you nd this useful, fun, or entertaining?
advanced shapes and the like, you may want to take a Follow @m a de ine upho ria to see my latest projects.
gander at "How to draw - Advanced Linear
Perspective"

Very nice tutorial. I've always been big on perspective, so for an example to others, here's a very
small idea of what can be done. The city was from back in middle school, never finished it. The
cubicle maze.. Well, that came out when I got into abstracts. I still have it hanging on my wall
(made it when I was... 17?) But seriously- good tutorial for anyone wanting to learn this kind of
stuff. Sorry- this thing won't let me make the images any larger... so they are kind of hard to see.

That is amazing!

When you click on them they get bigger... nice job.

hi i really would like to learn how to draw perspective drawing of 2d drawing. For example u have
been told to convert a 2d birds eye view of buildings into a front view perspective drawing. How
would you do that?
That first drawing is amazing.... Made me think of Inception. Well Done!

everyone is going to want to know how to draw something different if you want to draw then draw
study the human anatomy muscle groups things like that practice drawing those specifically for
comic books but there will never be a how to that will magically make you become an amazing
artist just by reading it but maybe someone could make a 'how to make a how to that will magically
make you become an amazing artist just by reading it' then we'd be getting somewhere
so llllliiiittttttt

thank you so much for this tutorial! I am totally going to keep doing your perspective lessons

I did it. I never could figure out how to do perspective, even after learning about it in humanities. I
am going to make some thing super crazy now.

How to Draw - Basic Linear Perspective: Page 13

trying to wrap my head around this.....is it possible you could do a video as well?

Wish I had this say sixty years ago. Had some of this in the arts class. When I finished school I
could draw isometric projections but that was not like doing this Love it!!
Awesome tutorial. Wish my highschool art teacher could have explained it that well. Great job!

Fun to do

In the not to distant past I was always doing perspective artwork to pass the time. I used two 7-foot
lengths of an aluminum straight edge for guides. I had anchored pivot pins at the very end so I
could elevate the beams to maintain perspective parallels. In essence I had two vanishing points.
One on the far left of the paper and one a bit closer to the right side. I used the closest corner of
the structure for a vertical scale and reference. The two images I included here are actual
structures drawn to reflect the time period they were in use.

Thank you, this helped

This is the first time the gears connected. Thank you.

One of the best books to learn perspective and how to draw is called Drawing in 3d by Mark Kistler
you can also check out his website. http://markkistler.com
I highly recommend it!
Hi, I have a micro teaching assessment in two weeks. I have picked one point perspective subject
to teach in 15 mins, but for practical task bit not sure what I can ask students to do in 10 mins. Can
you help me in this? A simple, quick practice for one point perspective! Many thanks
Thanks for sharing your talent !
I'de love to enter each morning in an elevator car as well decorated as the one you show on step 1
!… ;)))
Where can I find "How to draw - Advanced Linear Perspective"?

I just finished typing up my instructable on perspective drawings on word and then I see this!Now
Im wondering wether I should make an instructable or not??
You should totally put up your own. The more the merrier.

I've been wanting to do some more drawing instructables, but never enough time... so much to
do... so little time.
I know!I might!But this is so much better explained!

Well explained instructable!

I sooo think that there should be a drawing and an origami contest on instructables.com!!!
hi i really would like to learn how to draw perspective drawing of 2d drawing. For example u have
been told to convert a 2d birds eye view of buildings into a front view perspective drawing. How
would you do that?
How to Draw - Basic Linear Perspective: Page 14
Not completely sure if that question was for me or Author (randofo), but could you be a little more
specific? Not sure what exactly you mean, but I'd like to try to help.
love this, would like to learn more on perspective to draw urban landscapes.

how do you go about drawing items to scale and proportionate to where they are on the horizon,
are there measurement techniques?
doing epic perspective drawings when i was thirteen too (even though im now 14) *fist bump*

Did you ever make the "How to draw - Advanced Linear Perspective" ? Since your I'ble was so
clear, I was eager to see the rest...
ooh, i remember my grade 5 art class

Like most artists, I formally learned to create perspective drawings while in high school. However, I
soon found that when drawing products for use in catalogs, a certain amount of “fudging” had to be
done. As your drawing recedes back into space, distortion occurs that really messes with the
drawings viewability. Back in my studio days, some of the illustrators used a gadget called a rabbit
ears. It looked like a goofy type of T-square that was articulated in a way that would allow the artist
to utilize vanishing points that would almost have been impossible otherwise. A little digging on the
internet should result in an explanation of the construction and use of this handy little gadget. Also,
I found that if a drawing “looks right”, it usually is good enough. I’ve personally drawn thousands of
product illustrations in perspective, both conventionally and on computer. I have to say this; as a
pro, you have to learn to know when to say when, as far as accuracy is concerned. Most clients
never know how much effort goes into a piece of art (heck, their clients), but they do know what
they want to spend. Usually, there is a wide gulf between the two.
Reminds me of this...

Less than three, less than three.

Less than three what?

<3

LOL Never heard or "saw" that one put quite like that. I do know a teenager who will get a kick out
of less than three! Thanks for the reply.
I love XKCD!!!

When I learned this in High School Art Class I made many drawings utilizing this technique. I loved
how the pictures turned out and was tickled to find I actually had some talent for art. Years later I
tried to draw a covered bridge using this technique, it turned out fairly well but was missing the
depth I wanted to convey, your ible has shown me what I was missing. Thank you and awesome
job!!
Aparently it didnt go well then eh? great ible' though..

Really good instructable! Very easy to understand. It is the one thing I have trouble with. Very good

How to Draw - Basic Linear Perspective: Page 15

i read something about this being incorperated alot in Da vinci's work
A lot (and i really mean a lot) of artist use perspective in their drawings/paintings.

Im off to university end of this year, and have never done perspective drawing before. My course
will involve alot of it, and i would just like to say. Your tutorial has been a great help, you've giving
me the basics to survive... :) Thankyou very much (:
do you use printing paper

It has been 410 days since you posted this ible, whet is "How to Draw- Advanced Linear
Perspective" going to be published? My art class is working with perspective now, and I'm really
into it! Thank you for this ible though.
Yes, I have to post the follow up. And I want to do a series on two and three point perspective. I'll
get back to that in a few weeks once I get some time.
I teach drawing--currently at Marshall University--and I'm always looking for new tools for teaching
linear perspective that make it more fun and less intimidating. I stumbled on this while searching
around. This is a great little tutorial, but there is a problem with the text in step 2. You have used
the word "perpendicular" when you should have used "parallel." The horizontal edges of the
buildings that face the viewer are PARALLEL to the horizon line, and the facing planes of those
buildings are PARALLEL to the picture plane. In the situation shown, any plane or edge that is not
parallel to the picture plane (the invisible window that the viewer looks through) is seen in a
foreshortened view and will appear in a drawing as a diagonal or a vertical.
eek! Thanks. fixed.

I approve! Great jorb!

you did a great jorb out there homestar!

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