Perspective Drawing

© 2011

The key to good perspective drawing
in Illustrator is to properly set up your
construction lines. In order to do this
effectively, you will need to understand
how each element relates to the others.

Prof. Tim Purdy

Rectilinear forms have three sets of parallel lines that show
height, width and depth. This cube is color coded to show each
set of parallel lines. There are many ways to draw 3D forms in
2D. This cube is shown in isometric projection. That mean that

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there is no dimensional distortion; there are no converging lines.
This kind of drawing is often used for technical drawings.
Perspective Drawing

© 2011

In order for a drawing to convey a sense of depth, we need to
use perspective. This is how the human eye perceives objects.
Lines in a perspective drawing converge towards a common
point. This Escher print uses three point perspective.

Vanishing Point

Horizon
Line

Prof. Tim Purdy

This is an example of one point perspective. Notice

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how two sets of lines are still parallel, but the set
showing depth is converging towards a point on the
Horizon line. These lines are built along guide lines
that run from the foreground to the Vanishing Point.
Perspective Drawing

© 2011

Prof. Tim Purdy
In two point perspective, two sets of parallel lines run
towards two separate Vanishing Points on the Horizon.
Only one set of parallel lines remains. Notice that
the vertical lines that indicate the object’s height get
shorter the further away from the viewer they are. The
closer the Vanishing Points, the more distortation there
will be in the image.

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 Top

Observer View

© 2011
Distant pp

obs 1

obs 2

obs 3

vp vp hl

Prof. Tim Purdy

gp

vp vp

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vp vp
Observer Height

© 2011
vp vp obs 1

vp vp obs 2

Prof. Tim Purdy

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obs 3
vp vp
Observer Position

© 2011

Angles Angles Angles
60/30 45/45 30/60

Top Top Top

View View View

pp

obs obs obs

Prof. Tim Purdy

vp vp vp vp vp hl

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gp
 VP
Cone of Focus

CF

VP

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Cone of Focus

© 2011

TOP
VIEW

CS1
OBSERVER

Prof. Tim Purdy

CS1

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CIRCLE OF FOCUS
PP

CF CS1

OBJ

PICTORIAL VIEW GP SIDE VIEW

Cone of Focus

© 2011
CONE OF FOCUS
45º – 60º

1 2 2 1 2 3

PICTURE PICTURE
PLANE PLANE

OBSERVER

Prof. Tim Purdy

CONE OF FOCUS
45º – 60º

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OBSERVER
 EL
Cone of Focus

LIMIT
OF
TH
E
EY
E’
S
VI
EW

50º

EYE
CV

30º
40º

ID@GT Prof. Tim Purdy © 2011

 EL
Cone of Focus

LIMIT
OF
TH
E
EY
E’
S
VI
EW

EYE
CV

50º 30º
40º

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Circles in Perspective

© 2011

EYE LEVEL

Prof. Tim Purdy

EYE LEVEL

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Circles in Perspective

© 2011
1

LESS

MORE
4 2

EQUAL
AXIS
3 MAJOR AXIS

EQUAL
MINOR
1

4 2 DIAMETER

AXIS

DIAMETER 3

Prof. Tim Purdy

MAJOR AXIS

PLANE

MAJOR AXIS

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TOP VIEW MAJOR AXIS
Circles in Perspective

© 2011
Circles in Perspective
8 point 12 point
horizontal plane vertical plane horizontal plane vertical plane

draw any perspective square; divide into
draw any perspective square draw any perspective square draw any perspective square; divide into 4 parts; locate mid points
4 parts; locate mid points

locate center and 4 mid points locate center and 4 mid points divide into 16 parts divide into 16 parts

Prof. Tim Purdy

perspective
4 3 center

1 2

locate 8 additional points using locate 8 additional points using

estimate somewhat 2/3 estimate somewhat 2/3 distance from 0 to rectangle diagonals rectangle diagonals

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distance from 0 to corner corner

1=2
1 2 1=2 1=2 1=2 2
2 1 2

1
1
draw ellipse draw ellipse
minor axis coincides minor axis coincides