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LESSON 12 PERSPECTIVE DRAWING

STRUCTURE

12.0 OBJECTIVES

12.1 INTRODUCTION

12.2 BASIC PRINCIPLE

12.3 TERMINOLOGY

12.4 TYPES OF PERSPECTIVE DRAWING

12.5 ASSIGNMENTS
12.5.1 CLASS ASSIGNMENTS
12.5.2 HOME ASSIGNMENTS

12.6 SUMMING UP

12.7 POSSIBLE ANSWERS TO SELF-CHECK QUESTIONS

12.8 TERMINAL QUESTIONS

12.9 REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED FURTHER READING

12.10 GLOSSARY

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12. PERSPECTIVE DRAWING
In Chapter 10, on Object Drawing, a mention was made on the
Perspective views of the cube. Let us now understand Perspective view and how
to do in this lesson.

12.0 Objectives
After going through this lesson, you will understand:-

• What is meant by a Perspective view?


• The terminology and types of Perspective Drawing.
• How to draw a scene with understanding of visible perspective.

12.1 Introduction
The principles of Perspective views assist the artist in translating
accurately the three dimensional views as perceived by human eye, into the two
dimensions of a drawing on paper. An artist’s own sense of visual correctness of
a representation is very important and must act as a guideline when attempting
an accurate Perspective drawing.

You had earlier studied a cube and some objects, and are aware that
things in our view tend to appear smaller as they become distant. The farther the
object the smaller it would appear. It applies similarly to the surfaces and points
within an object that are farther than some other in our view. Unconsciously, we
are also aware that what we view is not the actual size of the object or the actual
dimension of the object or how it actually is. This is the illusion created by the
physical placement of eyes in the human body. However, the brain or our
analytical understanding also tells us that what is being viewed is not real and
also what the real look of the object is. Our understanding of an object even when
viewed at a distance, therefore, is compensated by the brain and is as the real
object is.

12.2 Basic Principle


The basic principle of perspective states that parallel lines receding from
the viewer appear to converge. Objects positioned along these lines diminish in
size with their distance from the viewer. The perspective drawing involves plotting
the angles and degrees of convergence and diminishment in relation to the
viewer’s location, the position of objects viewed, and the point of convergence.
The point of convergence of parallel lines is actually an imaginary point, which is
the farthest point of sight.
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12.3 Terminology
There are certain terms that will help you define the unseen and hence
imaginary points of spatial relationship between the viewer and the viewed object.
These points are in relation to each other. They do not physically exist but are
marked on the drawing as the basic fixed reference points for Perspective
Drawing.

i) Station Point or viewing point: This is a fixed point from which an object is
viewed, that is actually the eyes of the viewer.

ii) Ground plane: This is the horizontal plane on which the viewer or object is
standing. The viewer’s eye level or station point has a fixed relationship to
the ground plane.

iii) Eye level or horizon line: The line corresponds to the eye – level of the
viewer and the points of convergence lie on this line. It lies parallel to the
Ground plane. If the position of the horizon line is low and is closer to the
ground plane, say the viewer is sitting on ground, the perspective drawing
creates an illusion of looking up at an object from a low level. If the horizon
line is high, the view is looking down at the object.

Fig. 12.1 Eye level or Horizon line. (VP = Vanishing Point)

iv) Vanishing Point (VP): The imaginary point of convergence of the parallel,
receding, and horizontal lines occurs on the horizon line.

12.4 Types of Perspective Drawing


There are 3 main types of Perspective Drawings according to the number
of vanishing points employed:

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i) One point Perspective (Fig. 12.2): In this case there is only one vanishing
point on the horizon line. The
station point and the vanishing
point lie on the same plane. The
centre of vision is at right angles to
one side of the object, and the side
is parallel to the viewer. Apart from
the surface with its horizontal and
vertical lines, that is parallel to the
viewing point all the other sides or
planes that may be visible appear
to recede from the viewer towards
one point.

Fig. 12.2 One-point perspective

ii) Two point Perspective


(Fig. 12.3): In this case
there are two vanishing
points located on the
horizon line, one on
either side of the station
point. The distance of
these points from the
station point depends on
the position of the viewer
with respect to the object.
There are at least two
and up to three planes
visible, where no surface
is parallel to the station
point of the viewer, but Fig. 12.3 Two-point perspective
the vertical lines are
parallel.

All surfaces and horizontal and vertical lines, except the nearest vertical line
appear to diminish towards the vanishing points on either side.

iii) Three point Perspective: In this case two vanishing points are located on
the horizon, governing the horizontal convergence, but a third one is
located above or below the horizon line to allow the convergence of

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normally vertical planes. Three point perspective is used for scenes above
or below the viewer. Neither any surface, nor any line, whether horizontal
or vertical is parallel to the viewing plane. All the surfaces, horizontal and
vertical lines appear to diminish towards the three vanishing points.

Of these, two point perspectives is the most common system used


representing objects and spaces as we see them. This kind of perspective is
based on seeing objects on the same ground or level as the viewer. The ground
is assumed to be flat and the artist is assumed to be looking straight ahead, not
up or down.

By now you must have got a fair understanding of the principles of


Perspective in drawing.

In the class activity let us attempt to apply our understanding to achieve


accuracy in representing what we see.

Activity
i) Using a pencil, draw a scene that is more than 15 feet away and is visible
from inside or outside the room or building.

Tips on perspective drawing

• This drawing is a composition of a group of objects and things / a group


of objects and plants and trees.
• You have so far attempted to draw these individually. You have
understood the size and proportion of the form of them as singular
subjects.
• This time, when you draw them as a composition of a group of things,
be aware of the inter-spatial relationships of each. How close or far
they are from each other? How big or small are they in comparison to
each other? Different objects, hence different materials, different looks,
finishes, textures, colours etc.
• First start with outline forms of each element of the scene. Establish
their position, size and proportions with respect to each other. This is of
prime importance.
• Remember the farther something from you the smaller it will appear.
Fewer details will be visible. Try using soft indistinct marks for more
distant shapes and crisper lines for closer areas. The colours of the
trees or objects will appear lighter, that is, they will be less vivid.
• In case of many plants and trees in the composition, the details may be
drawn in more as overall shading. Notice again how the distant tree is
a smooth light tone, while even the bark texture is clearly visible on the
closer tree.
• Fill in as many details as you can. Colour it if you like.

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Self-check Questions
1. What is a Perspective view?

2. What do you mean by perspective drawing?

3. What is the point of convergence in a perspective?

4. Define the following terms:

• Station point

• Ground plane

• Horizon line

• Vanishing point

5. In ______ point perspective there is only one ________ point on the


______ line, while in case of ______ point; there are ____ such points.

6. _________ point perspective is used for scenes above or below the


viewer.

12.5 Assignments
12.5.1 Class assignments

i) Choose any corner or any view from the position where you are sitting
inside your class room and try to draw that perspective view.

12.5.2 Home assignments

i) Go outside your house and choose any farsighted scene up to say 10


yards from you and draw and paint the scene adding perspective effects
to it.

12.6 Summing Up
We have now come to the end of this unit of Drawing.

As described in this unit, the character of a subject, which is an


amalgamation of size and proportion, form and shape, details and textures, effect
of light and shade, must come through your drawing. Accuracy in representation
is more important than highly styled rendering. Concentration in your effort and
sustained practice only will help you hone your skills. These are the very skills
that are essential in Drawing what you see, or drawing what you do not see.

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When you create and represent that which you have designed but do not yet
exist.

In conclusion, it has been a journey of understanding, drawing and


representation through use of different tools, various techniques, variety of
subjects and things as we see them around us. It has been a journey of
discovery, of how we see, look, observe and understand what we see. We have
come a fair distance in observing, analyzing and representing what we see, and
above all we have gained confidence in our expression of the same. In doing so,
we have added value to the drawings we make and to our experience in learning
how to draw.

12.7 Possible Answers to Self-check Questions


1. Everything around us appears larger if it close to us and tends to appear
smaller as it become distant. The farther the object the smaller it would
appear. This is known as a Perspective view.

2. Perspective drawing involves plotting the angles and degrees of


convergence and diminishment in relation to the viewer’s location, the
position of objects viewed, and the point of convergence.

3. The point of convergence of parallel lines is actually an imaginary point,


which is the farthest point of sight.

4. Definitions:

• Station Point or viewing point: This is a fixed point from which an


object is viewed, that is actually the eyes of the viewer.

• Ground plane: This is the horizontal plane on which the viewer or


object is standing.

• Eye level or horizon line: The line corresponds to the eye – level of
the viewer and the points of convergence lie on this line. It lies
parallel to the Ground plane.

5. One, vanishing, horizon, two, two, two, parallel

6. Three

12.8 Terminal Questions


1. Explain the basic principle of perspective with an example.

2. Illustrate the different types of perspective drawing with figures.

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12.9 References and Suggested Further Reading
1. Anonymous. 2006. The Complete Guide to Drawing and Painting.
Quantum Publishing Ltd, London.

2. Dunnigan, D. 1987. Improve Your Painting. Foster Art Service, Inc.,


California.

3. Foster, W. 1997. The Art of Pastels. Walter Foster Publishing, Inc.,


California.

4. Powell, W.F. 1997. The Art of Drawing Still Life. Walter Foster Publishing,
Inc, California.

12.10 Glossary
1. Amalgamation Uniting, merger

2. Convergence The occurrence of two or more things coming


together

3. Diminishment Decrease in size, extent, or range

4. Illusion Something many people believe that is false

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