Research Point – Linear Perspective

Linear perspective is a device used to give objects portrayed on a flat surface (such as paper or canvas) the appearance of distance and three dimensions. 

In order to achieve this, an artist has to make objects smaller as they diminish into the distance and use vanishing points so that all parallel (horizontal) lines recede towards the horizon (which can either be a drawn line or an implied one) and is usually sited on the artist’s/viewer’s eyeline.

One point perspective

This is probably the easiest to draw and explain!  The most common example of one point perspective given is a train track, or a fence bordering each side of a road.  In this example the viewer is standing centrally between the parallel lines and looking directly towards the vanishing point .  All lines parallel from this point lead to the vanishing point – see drawings below.  Any verticals must always remain vertical or else is appears that an object is tipping forwards or backwards.  The horizontal lines (eg, railway sleepers) also get smaller and closer together as they recede into the distance.  The other thing to remember here is that all forward facing “cubes” (buildings, books, etc) must be parallel to the horizon line

One point perspective is also commonly used in interior spaces (see basic drawing of room below).  One of the most common, early uses of perspective is the “checkerboard” floor that can be found in many paintings of the Renaissance and interior paintings from the Dutch Golden Age.  This uses basic one point perspective and uses the converging lines and narrowing parallel lines to give an effective sense of depth and recession in a painting.

The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci is another example of one point perspective;  the lines of the walls and architectural detail on the ceiling all converge at a single vanishing point, in this case the head of the figure of Christ.

Two point perspective

Commonly used for buildings, boxes, books, etc, which are viewed from the corner rather than face on.  One vanishing point is used for each face of the object at opposite ends of the horizon line and objects can be above, below or central to the horizon.  Using two point perspective gives a three dimensional object, although, depending on the angle of the object and proximity to the viewer, the vanishing points may be a long way out of the actual dimensions of the paper.

Three point perspective

This is normally used for buildings or square/rectangular objects seen from above (eg looking up at  a skyscraper) - the same two vanishing points are used as for two-point perspective, but a third is added, either low down on the ground if looking down, or high up in the sky if looking up.

Linear perspective does have some shortcomings – it can only be used when parallel lines (i.e. hard landscaping – roads, fences, buildings) are in the view, otherwise there can be no “vanishing point”. This is quite common in landscapes and natural scenes, and perspective here must be shown by the relative size of objects and aerial (colour) perspective instead.