TWO-POINT

Brenda Hoddinott

K-03 INTERMEDIATE: PERSPECTIVE 2

In this lesson, you use two point geometric perspective to transform a single vertical line
into a three-dimensional form. The cube in this lesson is drawn below the horizon line;
hence, you feel that it is slightly below you.
This lesson includes the following two sections:

SETTING UP TWO POINTS OF PERSPECTIVE: You draw a horizon line and two
vanishing points in preparation for drawing a cube with two point perspective.

DRAWING A CUBE IN PERSPECTIVE: When the corner of a cube appears closer to

you than one of its sides, you need to use two-point perspective to illustrate it
correctly.

Suggested drawing supplies include drawing paper, pencils, erasers, and a ruler.

This lesson is recommended for artists with good drawing skills and a basic understanding of geometric
perspective, as well as advanced students of home schooling, academic and recreational fine art educators.

5 PAGES 8 ILLUSTRATIONS

Published by Drawspace.com, Halifax, NS, Canada 2008 (Revised - June, 2009)

Perspective is a visual illusion in a drawing in which objects appear to become smaller, and recede into distant
space, the farther away they are from the viewer.
Geometric perspective (sometimes called linear perspective) is a method of representing subjects in a
drawing, in such a way that they seem to recede into distant space, and appear smaller the farther they are
away from you.
Two point perspective occurs when the corner of a straight sided form (such as a cube) is closer to you than
one of its sides, none of its sides are parallel to the horizon line, and its edges recede in space and converge at
two vanishing points.
Horizon line is an element of perspective, also known as eye level that refers to an imaginary horizontal line
that divides your line of vision when you look straight ahead. Your eye level always stays with you wherever
you move.
Vanishing point is an imaginary point (often marked VP) on the horizon line where perspective lines seem to
converge.
Perspective lines are straight, angular lines (invisible in real life), which extend from the edges of subjects
back to a vanishing point(s) on the horizon line.

SETTING UP TWO POINTS OF PERSPECTIVE

Drawing in proper perspective means unlearning some of what your brain currently knows
about what it sees, and readjusting its perceptions to a different set of rules.

For example, you know a cube has six sides. But, you actually see no more than three sides
at any one time (unless its made of clear glass). Most objects are not transparent and
drawing them correctly requires that you record them as you actually see them, not as your
mind knows or perceives them to be.
In this section, you draw a horizon line and two vanishing points in preparation for
drawing a cube with two point perspective.
1)

2)

Use your ruler to draw a horizon line that is parallel to the top and bottom of a
square or rectangular drawing space.
Press very lightly with your HB pencil. Refer to Figure 401.

Add two small dots on opposite ends of the horizon line to represent the two
vanishing points.
I have marked them with VP1 and VP2.

FIGURE 401

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this document belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever
without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott. E-mail brenda@drawspace.com Web site http://www.drawspace.com

DRAWING A CUBE IN PERSPECTIVE

When the corner of a building (or any straight sided form) is closer to you than one of its
sides, none of its sides are parallel to the horizon line. You use two-point perspective to
illustrate it correctly. The cube in this lesson is drawn below the horizon line; hence, you
feel that you are above it.
3)

Draw a line (marked AB) vertical to the horizon line, to represent a corner edge
of a cube (Figure 402).

This vertical line represents the corner of the cube that is closest to the viewer.
FIGURE 402

4)

Draw a straight line from the upper and lower points of line AB to each of the
vanishing points.
Refer to Figure 403 on the following page. These lines represent the top and bottom of
two sides of the cube that appear to recede into distant space.
FIGURE 403

5)

Draw lines CD and EF parallel to line AB.

The point where each line ends is on the two diagonal perspective lines (Figure 404).

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this document belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever
without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott. E-mail brenda@drawspace.com Web site http://www.drawspace.com

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FIGURE 404

6)

Connect point C to VP2, and connect E to VP-1.

Now all the sides of your rectangular form are in their proper places (Figure 405).
FIGURE 405

7)

8)

Refine the lines that identify

the cube with a dark pencil
(or fine tip marker).

FIGURE 406

Refer to Figure 406.

Erase the perspective lines

you dont need (Figure 407),
and add shading if you wish
(Figure 408).

Sign your name on the back of your

drawing, write todays date on each,
and put a smile on your face!
Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this document belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever
without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott. E-mail brenda@drawspace.com Web site http://www.drawspace.com

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FIGURE 407

FIGURE 408

BRENDA HODDINOTT
As a self-educated teacher, visual artist, portraitist, forensic
artist (retired), and illustrator, Brenda Hoddinott utilizes
diverse art media including her favorites: graphite and paint.
Brenda is the author of Drawing for Dummies (Wiley
Publishing, Inc., New York, NY) and The Complete Idiots
Guide to Drawing People (Winner of the Alpha-Penguin Book
of the Year Award 2004, Alpha - Pearson Education
Macmillan, Indianapolis, IN). She is currently writing two
books on classical drawing.

My philosophy on teaching art is to focus primarily on the enjoyment aspects while

gently introducing the technical and academic. Hence, in creating a passion for the
subject matter, the quest for knowledge also becomes enjoyable.
>Brenda Hoddinott<

Born in St. Johns, Newfoundland, Brenda grew up in the small town of Corner Brook. She
developed strong drawing and painting skills through self-directed learning.

During her twenty-five year career as a self-educated civilian forensic artist, various
criminal investigation departments have employed Brendas skills, including the Royal
Canadian Mounted Police. In 1992, Brenda was honored with a commendation from the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and in 1994, she was awarded a Certificate of Membership
from Forensic Artists International.
In 2003, Brenda retired from her careers as a forensic artist and teacher to work full time
writing books and developing her website (Drawspace.com). This site is respected as a
resource for fine art educators, home schooling programs, and educational facilities
throughout the world.

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this document belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever
without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott. E-mail brenda@drawspace.com Web site http://www.drawspace.com