How to Draw in 2 Point Perspective

Two Point Perspective is a drawing technique that is more versatile than One Point Perspective. Objects drawn in two point perspective have a more natural look. When drawing in two point perspective the sides of the object vanish to one of two vanishing points on the horizon. Vertical lines in the object have no perspective applied to them.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
   Cubes in 2 point perspective

   Draw a Box in 2 Pt Perspective:
   1)Put two vanishing points at opposite ends of the horizontal line.
   2)Draw in the front vertical of the box. Drawing the line below the horizontal will create a view which we are looking down on. To look at the object from below, draw the front vertical above the horizontal.
   3)Draw lines from the top of the vertical which disappear back to both of the vanishing points. Repeat the process for the bottom of the line.
   4)Complete both of the sides by drawing in the back verticals.
   5)Draw the top of the box, draw lines from the back verticals to the opposite vanishing points

2. 

   The position of the Vanishing Points changes the sizes of your object. If they are close together, your object may appear squished, or seem to be at an odd angle. If too far apart, your object will be stretched out and narrowed. So...how do you figure out where to place the vanishing points?

3. 

   Locate the vanishing points(VPs) by first locating the horizon line. This is ALWAYS level with your eye level -- so if you are drawing your kitchen table, the eye level of Horizon Line would move depending if you were sitting on the floor, in a chair, or standing.

4. 

   Now - to locate the VPs - I find something with edges that lead toward my VPs - perhaps the seat of a kitchen chair or a counter top. Using my preferred method of sighting (pencil, ruler, protractor, or view finder, etc) I determine the angle going right and left to position the VPs where this angled line meets the horizon line.

5. 

   Practice drawing cubes to develop your observation skills and become comfortable with two point perspective drawing.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep all vertical lines straight up and down (perpendicular to the horizon line)
• Group some small boxes (pasta, cereal, jello, etc) on a table and try drawing them using 2 point perspective
• 'practice, practice, practice'
• Drawing can be habit forming and relaxing!

[edieness]

on 7/12/2009 Excellant tips on How to Draw in 2 Point Perspective.

[jenng]

on 6/11/2009 Great article on how to draw in 2 point perspective 5*

[mvparcels]

on 6/4/2009 Very easy to follow directions on 2 point perspective. I come from an artistic background. Very useful to those entering the Architecture or Engineering field.

[cdclocks]

on 6/2/2009 Oooh. I love the tip about different sized boxes on the table. 5*

[skyedanzer]

on 6/2/2009 A very informative article