Perspective Essentials:

Introduction

O VERV IE W
What is the goal of perspective? A clue can be found in the world itself. Perspective: the interrela-
tion in which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed <places the issues in proper perspective>;
also : point of view. The goal of perspective is to give the viewer a point of view. It is about more
than simply learning the techniques and geometry for creating a convincing illusion of three-
dimensional space. It is about dictating how an individual perceives your image, how they enter
and interact with the scene you have created. Over the course of the following lessons you will
learn to place the viewer into your scene anyway you wish. By doing this you can better commun-
icate your narrative. In the end communication is what lies at the core of art.

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 Perspective Essentials:
Introduction

MATERIALS

• T-square
• 30/60/90 triangle
• 45/45/90 triangle
• Ellipse guides
• Protractor
• Ruler

- TIP -
Proper use of the correct
tools is very important to the
precision that academic
perspective requires.

Suggested Reading:
•Creative Perspective For Artists and Illustrators
Ernest W. Watson SETTING UP
•Perspective Made Easy
Ernest R. Norling • Print handouts or use tablet
•Perspective for Artists • find a flat surface with a straight
Rex Vicate Cole vertical edge on the side of your off
•How to Draw: hand
drawing and sketching objects and environments • Set attention/focus
from your imagination • Take several deep breaths
Scott Robertson • Familiarize yourself with the tools
and begin.

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 Perspective Essentials:
Introduction

WORKSPACE

When setting up a workspace it

is best to have a flat
surface/table with a straight
vertical edge on the side of your
off hand (the left side if you are
right-handed). This is so that
you can slide the T-square up
and down that edge with you
non-drawing hand. It is best to
only use your T-square along
this edge to maintain consist-
ency and precision. Even the
best manufactured table can be
out of square, so to maintain
proper right angles don’t switch
the edge that your T-square
works along. This will allow you
to draw a perfect horizontal line
every time. Use you T--square
to tape your paper perfectly
square to your surface. It is best
to have your paper be immobile,
again to maintain consistency
and precision.

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 Perspective Essentials:
Introduction

Rather than rotate the T-square

use one of the triangles to draw a
vertical line, or a line at a 30, 45,
or 60 degree angle for that
matter. Slide the triangle along
the T-square to place these lines
were they are necessary. If you
need a longer line than the trian-
gle provides, place the ruler
against the proper edge to extend
the line. All of these things may
seem trivial (and if you are work-
ing digitally they are) but techni-
cal perspective is a precision
based exercise. Even slight
inconsistencies can lead to inac-
curacies that can cause a multi-
tude of problems as you move
into more complex subjects.

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 Perspective Essentials:
Introduction

TERMS

Parallel- = extending in the same direction, everywhere

equidistant, and not meeting

Perpendicular/right angle- L being at right angles to a given line or plane

Oblique- not /\ /\ neither perpendicular nor parallel

Obtuse- >90
Acute- <90

Tangent- ) meeting a curve or surface in a single point if a

sufficiently small interval is considered <straight
line tangent to a curve>

LAWS

1)Convergence Parallel lines will visually converge as the move

further away, eventually meeting at a common
vanishing point (usually on the horizon line)

2)Diminution Objects will visually diminish in size as they move

further away

3)Foreshortening to shorten by proportionately contracting in the

direction of depth so that an illusion of projec-
tion or extension in space is obtained

4)Overlap objects closer to the viewer will obscure objects

further away

5)Atmospheric Perspective as objects move further away they will appear to

lose sharpness, contrast, and saturation

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 Perspective Essentials:
Introduction

ASPECTS

Picture Plane The window or frame through which the viewer sees your image

Horizon Line Represents the viewers eye level. Generally expressed as the
divider between sky and ground.

Vanishing Point(s) The point at which receding parallel lines viewed in perspective
appear to converge

Station Point A vantage point from which an artist or exhibitor intends an

observer to experience an artwork

Centric Line Basically it is the viewer’s line of sight.

90º

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