Perspective Drawing

One-point perspective and depth in art

Creating Depth in Art

Perspective is a technique that makes flat drawings look three-dimensional. One-point perspective uses a single vanishing point on the horizon line — all parallel lines converge to that point. This creates the illusion of depth, making objects appear to recede into the distance.

Example

Drawing in One-Point Perspective

1. Draw a horizontal line (horizon/eye level) 2. Mark a point on it (vanishing point) 3. Draw a square below the horizon (front of a building) 4. Draw lines from each corner to the vanishing point 5. Draw a vertical line to create the side wall Roads, railway tracks and corridors are great subjects for perspective drawing.

Note

Remember

Objects appear smaller as they get further away. Parallel lines appear to meet at the vanishing point. The horizon line is always at eye level. SA artist Gerard Sekoto used perspective in his famous township street scenes.

Key Vocabulary

PerspectiveA technique creating the illusion of depth on a flat surface

Vanishing pointThe point where parallel lines appear to meet in the distance

Horizon lineThe line where sky meets ground (at eye level)

DepthThe appearance of distance in a picture

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Perspective

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