Perspective - Key Terminology

Written By E. Asante
 

Types of Perspective

  • 1 Point Perspective

  • Foreshortening

  • 2 Point Perspective

  • 3 Point Perspective

  • 4  Point perspective

  • Curved Points

  • Isometric Drawing

  • Orthographic

  • Light and Shadow

  • Rendering Techniques - (Shading and Finishing)

Understanding the Horizon Line

  • Horizon line (Eye Level) - Dividing the sky from the ground

  • Below the horizon line, we see the top of an object 

  • Above the horizon line, we can see the bottom of an object

Perspective Key Terms

To speak the language of perspective, you’ll need to understand a few essential terms:

  • Orthogonal Lines: Lines that recede toward the vanishing point. For example, the edges of a road or the sides of a building.

  • Foreshortening: The visual compression of objects as they recede into space, making them appear smaller. Foreshortening: portray or show (an object or view) as closer than it is or as having less depth or distance, as an effect of perspective or the angle of vision.

  • Picture Plane: The imaginary flat surface on which your drawing exists—essentially, your “window” into the scene. 

  • Plane (Faces):  The surface and side of a shape.

  • Building Depth with Overlapping and Scale: While vanishing points and orthogonal lines create perspective, depth is enhanced by overlapping objects and varying their size.

  • Overlapping: Place objects in front of each other to show which is closer. For example, draw a tree partially covering a building to indicate that the tree is in the foreground.

  • Scaling: Objects closer to the viewer should appear more prominent, while distant objects shrink in size. This effect is especially noticeable in repetitive elements, such as rows of streetlights or fences.

  • Vanishing Point (VP): The point where receding parallel lines viewed in perspective appear and converge. Vanishing points can appear from anywhere and at any angle.

    • Left Vanishing Point (LVP) 

    • Right Vanishing Point (RVP)

    • Top Vanishing Point (TVP)

    • Bottom Vanishing Point (BVP)

  • Vertical Lines (Vertices): Going from top to bottom or bottom to top

  • Horizontal Line: Going from left to right or right to left

  • Draft lines (drawing through): dotted lines showing the line not visible and an angle

  • Edges: Edges of a shape

  • Parallel lines: Identical lines following the same direction

  • Curved Edges: Warping / curved perspectives

  • Skewed vertical: Within 3-point perspective

Understanding the Horizon Line

At its core, the horizon line is your drawing’s anchor. In your scene, it represents the viewer’s eye level and the dividing line between the sky and the ground.


Why It Matters:

The horizon line determines the perspective of everything in your drawing. Objects above the horizon line appear as if you’re looking up at them, while objects below it seem as if you’re looking down.


How to Use It:

When starting a drawing, lightly sketch the horizon line across your paper. This simple step will guide you to where your vanishing points and objects will sit in the scene.


Visual Example:

Imagine a long road stretching into the distance. The horizon line runs across the middle, with the road and other elements, such as trees or buildings, receding toward it.

Vanishing Points: Where the Magic Happens

Vanishing points are where parallel lines in your drawing appear to converge as they recede into the distance. They’re what make your drawings look three-dimensional.


Single Vanishing Point:

Used in one-point perspective (e.g., a hallway or road). All lines converge at one point on the horizon line.



Multiple Vanishing Points:

The two-point perspective utilises two vanishing points to create more dynamic scenes, such as a street corner. Three-point perspective adds a third point, often positioned above or below, to create dramatic angles.



XYZ - Axis

The x is horizontal, the Y is vertical, and the Z is how deep your object is. In a 2D perspective drawing or 3D projection, the X, Y, and Z axes represent the three dimensions of height, width, and depth. The X-axis is usually seen as the horizontal line.


Pro Tip:

Keep vanishing points far apart on your horizon line for a more natural look. If they’re too close, your drawing might look distorted.

E. Asante
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