How to Use Two Point Perspective

I have already taught you how to do one point perspective, now it is time to learn another type of perspective: two point perspective. One point perspective is used when you are trying to make an object have convincing depth if you can see one face of that object (the face of a cube is a square). Two point perspective comes in handy when you are trying to draw an object of which you are looking at it with one of its edges facing you (look at the picture to see an example). Using this technique, you will only draw vertical lines and the lines connecting corners to the vanishing points (points on the horizon line).

1. Start with your horizon line, a straight, horizontal line from one edge of your paper to the other edge. If a horizon line is more toward the top of the page, your object will appear as though you are looking down on it. If it is toward the bottom of the page, it seems like you are gazing up at the object. If the horizon line is in the middle of the page, it will appear as though the object is at eye level.

2. Draw two dots on that line. These dots, called vanishing points, will be the points in which your shape will disappear to on the horizon.

3. To draw a square, you will draw a vertical line on the page. The line can be anywhere on the page, as long as it is in between the two dots. We use a vertical line because we will be looking at our finished product from one of its edges.

4. From each end of your vertical line, draw lines to the vanishing points.

5. Decide where you want your square to end and draw vertical lines for the other edges in the pathways created by the lines you just drew.

6.From the vertexes created by your new lines, draw lines to opposite vanishing points. The two intersecting lines should create the top face of the square.

7. Erase the lines that are not part of the square leading to the vanishing points and shade in the shape. Volia! A beautiful square drawn using two point perspective!

Remember, if you want to draw a shape that had a flat face facing toward you, then you want to use one point perspective. If you are facing the corner of an object, then you have to use two point perspective. You can make a drawing using only One point or two point perspective, or you can mix them together and create a drawing that includes both techniques.