Creating the illusion of depth with geometric straight lines – Linear Perspective – has been with us since the Renaissance Period of the 1400’s. Perspective was initially seen as creating an almost magical realism in paintings and drawings. Even today, it surprises and has me scratching my head, given that following a few rules can be so effective: perhaps even too effective, should your objective be to diverge from realism – however that’s a subject for a later date.
The principles of Linear Perspective are so simple that it’s easy to glance over the subject, not really internalizing the concept. Take the time to practice, until it almost seems like there is no construction needed:
In this 20 minute video, I lay out a room using single point perspective:
Play the video again in segments and draw a room as you go – you can of course create whatever space you like, resplendent with details such as pictures, furniture and your own personal touches.
I’ve included a reference with an exterior scene and an Edward Hopper painting that are almost entirely single point perspective Choose from one of the references (or one of your own) to create a single point perspective drawing (or painting!).
Sometimes times even Van Gogh followed the rules of perspective!