Three-Point Perspective

Most of the time, one- or two-point perspective is what you will use when drawing. It’s often the view that you will see when you are observing something from a normal eyesight level. However, when you are viewing a scene from a more extreme position, you’ll want to use three-point perspective.
For example, you will use three-point perspective when you want to give the impression of looking up at a subject from a low position or down at it from a higher position.

A word of caution: your eyes can play tricks on you when you are trying to determine the perspective of an object. Remember to always use some form of measurement when deciding where to place your vanishing points and to determine the size of your subjects. It’s helpful to use a straight edge ruler when working with perspective and to practice drawing it on paper before you commit to other media.

Drawing a Three-Point Perspective

The following is an example of how to draw a three-point perspective.

First, start with a two-point perspective: Mark two vanishing points on a horizon line. Then, draw a line from each vanishing point to a point that will mark the bottom corner of a set of blocks, forming a “V”. Draw two more lines from the vanishing point to the first lines.

Directly below the front corner of the nearest rectangle, put a mark. This will be your third point.

Now, draw a line to the bottom corner of rectangle block, ending it a bit above the third point.

Connect the lines from the top edges of the rectangles to the third point.

Draw a line that begins at both vanishing points and ends at the bottom of the line of the nearest block.

The green line shows the group of blocks with the three-point perspective.

Two-Point Perspective

Recently, I presented an example of one-point perspective that uses one vanishing point. This week, I’d like to talk about another type of perspective in the Linear Perspective group, the two-point perspective. Two-point perspective is mostly evident in street and building scenes, as well as interiors. However, whenever there is a need to project depth and dimension, you will find that understanding two-point perspective will help in sizing and drawing all of your subjects.

The “two point” in a two-point perspective grid is referring to two different vanishing “points,” where each becomes an anchor that we use create a 3D object on a 2D plane (your canvas or paper).

Typically, these two points are at the opposite sides of the composition, with one on the far left and another on the far right.

Create a Two-Point Perspective Box or Building

To create a two-point perspective box or building, draw a straight line on a sheet of paper. This will be your horizon line or sight line. Place two points at opposite sides on the line.

Now, draw a line where the corner of your box or building will be in relation to the horizon line.

Connect the top and bottom of the corner line to both vanishing points.

Draw more lines that begin at the vanishing points and end at the lines that connect the corner line.

Draw perpendicular lines to finish the outlines of your box or building.

You can use this method to draw street scenes, such as this one. In this case, the vanishing points are off to the right and left of the scene, the horizon line cutting through the building horizontally.

“Perspective is to painting what the bridle is to the horse, the rudder to a ship.”

-Leonardo da Vinci